Elderly Bilbao local attacks Man Utd fans with pointed stick ahead of Europa League final

An elderly local attacked a fan with a pointed stick in a bizarre altercation ahead of the final. Thousands of Red Devils supporters have descended on Bilbao for tonight's game against Tottenham at San Mames Stadium. However, it seems not everybody has been left happy with the influx of visitors in the city.

One fan, standing on a balcony in front of hundreds of supporters at the Plaza Nueva, was confronted by an angry resident holding a giant stick. The man repeatedly swung the stick at the United fan, who held up his hands to protect himself while smiling. Meanwhile, another United fan was trying to straighten out a large flag which had just been hung on the balcony.

The second fan tried to walk past the elderly local, who was holding the bizarre weapon and attempting to poke him with it. The incident, which took place in the hours before kick-off, unfolded in full view of the supporters standing below.

It comes after wreaked havoc in Bilbao on Wednesday night. Objects were launched across a narrow road in the Spanish city as terrified locals watched on.

Cardboard boxes and other items were sent flying into the opposing groups, who were positioned at each end of the street. One individual was floored by a stray projectile before he was quickly helped to his feet by those around him.

Many of the fans who have travelled to Bilbao do not have tickets for the Europa League final. Instead, they will be watching the match on giant screens which have been put up in designated fan zones throughout the city.

In order to mitigate the possibility of supporter violence at the stadium, local authorities are set to deploy hundreds of extra police officers. According to , around 3,000 armed officers will oversee three specialist security rings around the ground.

One will reportedly sit in the immediate perimeter, another on the esplanade in front of the stadium, and a third near the Sabino Arana area. Only ticket holders and local residents will have access due to fears those without tickets may attempt to force entry.

A huge fence has reportedly been erected around the site with border controls set to be reinforced by the Spanish National Police. Sniffer dog units will also be deployed, while fans entering the stadium can expect rigorous security procedures.

Just 15,000 tickets have been allocated to each team for tonight's match at the 53,000-capacity arena. The remaining tickets have been given to UEFA corporate partners or already secured by neutrals.