Dozens of football fans were arrested on Wednesday night as things threatened to turn nasty following Manchester United's 4-0 Champions League play-off victory over Club Bruges.

Sportsmail understands a group of supporters from Bruges's hooligan element attacked the Charlie Rockets pub in the centre of the city where a number of United fans who had travelled without tickets had gathered to watch the game on TV.

Belgian police were quickly on the scene and managed to keep the two groups apart before things got out of hand.

About 25 Manchester United fans were arrested after their side's 4-0 win over Club Bruges - the supporters pictured above were not necessarily involved in the incident

The incident occurred when supporters from Bruges' hooligan element attacked the Charlie Rockets pub

United fans gathered in the city centre before the Champions League play-off match in Belgium - the supporters pictured above were not necessarily involved in the incident

They cleared the pub and arrested around 15 Brugge and 25 United supporters.

Those held were taken to a nearby police station for questioning.

Of the United fans arrested at the popular pub, which is a known haunt for bikers, 23 were eventually released without charged while two were retained in custody.

The incident, thought to be an arranged meet between two known groups of trouble causers, was isolated on a mostly trouble-free night.

At the stadium earlier in the evening 25 United supporters were arrested. Some of those were held for not being in possession of a ticket, which is a criminal offence in Belgium, while 17 were arrested on suspicion of breaching the peace.

United fans soak up the rays as they stand in the upper tier of the Jan Breydel Stadium - the supporters pictured above were not necessarily involved in the incident

Away from the violence, Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney netted a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera also managed to get his name on the scoresheet

One was arrested after invading the pitch.

A police source said: 'Over two nights there was a really good atmosphere. It is a shame an isolated incident has overshadowed this.'

United won the tie 7-1 on aggregate thanks to a hat-trick from Wayne Rooney and a goal from Ander Herrera to progress to the group stage.