The Foreign Office today warned Manchester United fans to stay away from a string of known trouble spots when they travel to Rome for next week's Champions League final against Barcelona and told those without tickets not to to make the trip.

Rome's Ultras have been involved in incidents with English fans in recent years, and the Foreign Office warned fans not to take the Metro to Piazzale Flaminio or to use the Ponte Duca D'Aosta bridge, saying there had "been trouble along this route to the stadium on many occasions".

United fans have also been told not to approach the Stadio Olimpico on foot or via any transport other than the free shuttle service provided by the authorities.

They have also been warned to stay as far away as possible from Campo dei Fiori.

The Foreign Office said it would provide a team of staff at both major Rome airports to provide advice and help with emergencies.

Only 19,500 tickets have been issued to United fans, but up to 10,000 more are expected to travel.

There are fears that some of the 10,000 tickets available in an open ballot, and the 18,000 allocated for sponsors and the Uefa "football family" will find their way onto the black market.

Websites today had tickets on sale at prices ranging from £984 for a seat in the United section to £3,321 for a seat in the VIP area.

United – who will send their own stewards to Rome as they have done for previous finals – also warned fans without tickets not to travel.

"With no big screens being provided to show the game away from the stadium, we would urge all of our supporters without tickets not to travel to Rome," a spokesman said.

There will be no alcohol on sale throughout the city on the day of the final next Wednesday.

"We have been working closely with the Italian authorities and the British embassy in Rome to ensure that fans have support in Rome and access to all the information they need to ensure a safe trip," Alastair Mackie, the Foreign Office sports liaison officer, said.

"We would encourage fans to visit www.fco.gov.uk/football before their departure."

Uefa has consistently refused to consider changing the venue for the final, saying it was satisfied that measures put in place would guarantee the safety of fans.

There will be 20,000 police officers on duty on the day of the match, and Uefa has made more than 15 security visits to the city.

Duncan Drasdo, the chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters Trust, said there would be more United fans travelling to Rome than made the trip to Moscow last year, but fewer than went to Barcelona in 1999.

With money tight and fears over violence and the availability of tickets, many are choosing to stay in Manchester and watch the match on big screens.

Drasdo said the thousands of police that will blanket Rome would not necessarily reassure United fans.

"My experience of of the Italian police, particularly in Rome, is pretty poor," he said.

The Italian city's mayor, Gianni Alemanno, tried to play down safety fears, saying: "This year, we have welcomed fans of various sports, including soccer, rugby, athletics and tennis, for which our city was well prepared in line with our tradition of hospitality.

"We are delighted to be hosting such a fantastic event, and we have worked hard to ensure that all visitors have an enjoyable and trouble-free stay in our city.

"Rome welcomes the British fans with open arms, and we look forward to celebrating this great sporting festival together."