Five Manchester United fans were taken to hospital tonight and two were arrested following trouble ahead of the Champions League tie with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

Manchester-based police initially confirmed they had received reports of three supporters being stabbed but the number requiring medical assistance rose even though there was nowhere near the same scale of violence that scarred the last meeting between the two teams in April.

The precise extent of the injuries sustained in the trouble has not been verified. However, it is not thought any of the supporters are seriously hurt.

The British Foreign Office confirmed two fans had been arrested after fans of the rival teams clashed as they gathered outside the Stadio Olimpico.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "It appears there was trouble outside the stadium.

"A number of British fans were injured and two British nationals have been arrested.

"Our consular officials are on the way to the hospital to check on conditions, the numbers involved and whether anyone needs assistance.

"The situation is now said to be calm both outside and inside the stadium."

Alex Ferguson last night expressed hope that the game would pass off peacefully and certainly the Italian police, who were condemned for their heavy handed tactics earlier this year, were leaving little to chance.

The 1200 United fans who made the trip to Italy were largely shepherded into the stadium two hours before kick-off, while segregation, made easier by a less than capacity crowd left no opportunity for supporters to be pelted by missiles, as was the case on their last visit.

Police helicopters also circled the stadium in an attempt to isolate trouble spots.