Manchester United condemn Hillsborough chants towards Liverpool at Anfield

Manchester United have condemned the supporters who chanted about the Hillsborough disaster during Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg against bitter rivals Liverpool.

Liverpool dominated the first-ever European tie between the North-West enemies, winning 2-0, and some of the visiting support at Anfield chanted about the Hillsborough disaster of 1989, in which 96 Liverpool supporters were crushed and killed during an FA Cup tie.

A club statement from United in the wake of Thursday's events read: "It has always been the position of Manchester United that chants of this nature, which refer to historical tragedies, have no place in the game and do not reflect the values the club holds.

"We are in discussion with our fans' groups to seek their support in preventing this type of behaviour in the future."

Chants from the away end were also reported to have focused on the 1985 Heysel disaster, when 39 fans died before the European Cup final between Juventus and Liverpool.

The second leg takes place at Old Trafford this coming Thursday, March 17.