Rangers set for Manchester Takeover fanzone as thousands of fans without briefs set to descend on Old Trafford

Rangers fans travelling down south without tickets to next Thursday's Battle of Britain showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford will get the chance to watch the game in a nearby 'fanzone'.

The Daily Mail report that thousands of Gers supporters without briefs for the Europa League clash are set to attend the 'Rangers FanZone: Manchester Takeover' at Bowlers in nearby Trafford Park, where the match will be shown on a 'large super TV screen' and will include a special guest appearance from former Gers defender Marvin Andrews. The fanzone is set to open it's doors at 3pm on Thursday, January 23, some five hours before kick-off.

An online advert for the event claims that tickets for the fanzone are nearly sold out, with over 2,000 fans expected to be in attendance. The fanzone will also have live music provided by a DJ as well as from a 'loyalist singer'. Parking has also been laid on for travelling supporters, with over 300 spaces provided for buses and coaches. The event has been given a 'family friendly' tag, so those under the age of 18 are welcome to attend.

Rangers have been given an allocation of 3,768 tickets for the game at Old Trafford and had a request for extra briefs knocked back. Manchester is set to be a hot bed for football fans next week, with Chelsea facing United's rivals Manchester City on the following Sunday, and it is expected that some away supporters may head up from London three days early to take in the atmosphere for the Rangers clash.

Police are hoping that a controlled fanzone will help negate any repeat of the horrific scenes in Manchester back in 2008, when thousands of ticketless Gers fans travelled south for the UEFA Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg. Riots in the city led to