Post-match bus services have stopped running from just outside Old Trafford due to a “vast amount of anti-social behaviour” from football fans.

A spokesperson from the bus company Stagecoach said the behaviour of some has made it “unsafe for the majority to travel” and the 255F service will no longer run from Old Trafford on match days.

Instead, people will have to walk around 10 or 15 minutes to Seymour Grove/Trafford Bar, Stop C, to catch post-match bus services back to Piccadilly Gardens and Deansgate Castlefield station.

Before kick-off at Manchester United’s game against Brighton on Sunday November 10, Stagecoach took to Twitter and announced the plans and shared further details via its website.

After Manchester United beat Brighton 3-1 that day, football fan Emma-Jane Strachan asked Stagecoach on Twitter: “Is this a regular thing or only for the games mentioned? It was a nightmare getting back into town after the game today!

“So many people rely on this service, my dad struggles to walk and cannot walk as far as Seymour Grove in time to catch the service buses, and surely it makes sense to ship people away from the ground as soon as possible after the games from a police perspective.”

A Stagecoach spokesperson replied: “Unfortunately we had to put the safety of our drivers, customers and inspectors at the forefront and given the vast amount of anti-social behaviour that we have been experiencing, we have to make this decision. Apologies for the inconvenience.”

The bus company confirmed it is in ongoing talks with Trafford Council, Greater Manchester Police, Transport for Greater Manchester and Manchester United to decide if the changes to the service will be rolled out permanently.

A spokesperson said: “Due to ongoing behaviour displayed by some football fans, which has made it unsafe for the majority to travel, we have regretfully made the decision to withdraw the 255F service from Old Trafford on match days.

“We are aware of the difficulty this causes to match going fans and are continuing discussions to look at alternative travel options.”

Alison Chew, Transport for Greater Manchester’s interim head of bus services, said: “The changes to service 255F are a commercial decision made by the operator, Stagecoach, who are free to decide routes and timetables.

“TfGM has no say in how these services are run or control over an operator’s decision to withdraw or vary a service but we are continuing to work with Stagecoach, Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police to find a mutually agreeable solution to the concerns raised by the operator.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police advised that, after speaking to the relevant officers, the situation is not considered a police matter and the force believe Stagecoach and Trafford Council are in talks.

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “The shuttle bus is a commercial service run by Stagecoach which starts from bus lanes on the A56 near the Old Trafford ground.

“The position of the buses has been relocated by the company following operational experiences at recent games. The council is liaising with Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Police and Stagecoach to ensure the smooth running of this service.”

A Manchester United spokesperson said: “We are aware of the decision taken by Stagecoach in relation to their post-match shuttle service for our supporters.

“We are in ongoing discussions with the different parties involved and aim to reach a positive outcome for our supporters.”