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Trouble erupted on the streets of Manchester city centre ahead of this afternoon’s derby day clash at the Etihad.

Dramatic pictures and footage show a gang of around 40-50 men wearing black storming their way down Bengal Street in Ancoats.

One man was viciously beaten to the ground and stamped on. Traffic cones and road signs from a nearby building site were hurled across the road.

The gang chanted Manchester City songs and set off a blue flare.

They fled in different directions as police arrived.

Greater Manchester Police say two men have been arrested.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Images taken just afterwards show officers with batons drawn facing off against the yobs.

Some men were pinned to the ground by police, others handcuffed and led away with bloodied faces.

Police dogs and the mounted unit were also drafted in.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

(Image: Joel Goodman)

At least two dozen men were kettled on a nearby street by around 30 officers.

One witness, who lives on Bengal Street, described what happened. He said: “It was completely quiet one minute, then the next there was all this shouting. I looked out of the window and people were fighting and throwing signs and setting off flares.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

(Image: Joel Goodman)

“Some had cuts and were bleeding.

“Then police came and they all ran off.”

It’s understood that shops in the area around Piccadilly have been told by police to stop selling alcohol.

Shortly before 3.30pm on Saturday 7 April 2018, police were called to reports of a disturbance on Jersey Street in the city centre.

Greater Manchester Police said they were called to a disturbance on Jersey Street at around 3.30pm.

A spokesperson said: "A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of public order and a 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of affray.

"Enquiries into the full circumstances around this incident are ongoing."