A man was punched in the face - when he said he didn’t like football after being asked if he supported City or United.
Dad-of-one Anthony Farrell, 42, was travelling to his home in Ardwick on the bus when a fellow passenger asked which of the two teams he supported.
The man, who was travelling with a friend, then added that he would bet Mr Farrell was a City fan.
When Mr Farrell told him he didn’t support either United or City because he didn’t like football, the man punched him full in the face.
The unprovoked attack happened on Monday night on board the 219 Stagecoach service as it travelled from Manchester city centre to Openshaw.
Mr Farrell, who is currently unable to work because of a knee injury, was taken to hospital after the attack around 6.30pm last night and has been left with a cut lip and bruises to his face.
The man who launched the attack got off the bus near Smithfield Market.
Mr Farrell, who lives near the O2 Apollo Manchester, got off a stop later after dialling 999.
Police met him from the bus and are now investigating the assault.
Mr Farrell, who was on his way home after visiting his son who lives in Moss Side, said: “I’d seen the two men getting on in town and thought they seemed drunk the way they were talking.
“As the bus went along they were singing football songs and talking about the derby.
“As they stood up to get off one of the men asked if I supported City or United.
“Then he said to his mate ‘I bet he’s a Blue, I bet he’s a Blue’.
“At first I just smiled and said hello, then I said I didn’t support either team because I don’t follow football.
“At that point he made a fist and said ‘watch this then’ and punched me in the face.
“It knocked my glasses and I’ve been left with cuts and bruises.
“I was just shocked.
“Friends have been saying to me that whether you like football or not, no-one has the right to attack you.
“I want to speak out to warn other people about this man because he could do this to someone else.”
The attacker was a man aged in his forties, with short hair and wearing jeans and a short, white jacket and glasses.
He also had teeth missing at the front of his mouth.
A spokesman from GMP confirmed they were investigating the incident last night.
He added: “An officer met Mr Farrell following the incident last night which is being investigated as an alleged assault.
“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
