Newly-inaugurated UKIP leader Nick Tenconi, who describes himself as a 'Defender of Christianity and Conservative values' is seen with supporters holding up crosses
Footage from the ugly scenes, taken on Saturday afternoon, showed a woman being struck in her face by a police officer - while one brazen demonstrator shoved a cap from a policeman's head - as they attempted to push back the vocal crowd.
Scores of officers from Greater Manchester Police tried to keep the counter protest, organised by Greater Manchester Stand Up To Racism, away from newly-inaugurated UKIP leader Nick Tenconi and his supporters.
The 40-year-old politician had announced earlier this month on social media that he would visit Manchester as part of a 'crusade to make Britain great again'.
Inviting 'patriots' to join him in a 'clear message to the establishment that we want mass-deportations now', his post added: 'We are taking our country back one city at a time.'
Video from the scene showed one officer urging his colleagues to 'keep the line' as the protesters at one point pushed back against the police rather than keep marching, causing disruption to the streets of Manchester city centre.
Other footage showed one officer scuffling with a counter-protester before kicking him and bringing him to the ground.
© Jake Lindley
A short while later he addressed the crowd again and told his supporters: 'It isn't fascist to want to know who is entering your country.'
The crowd cheered along Mr Tenconi, who describes himself as a 'Defender of Christianity and Conservative values', while holding up a large purple banner stating: 'Mass deportations now!'
He went on to describe his party's mission as a 'crusade' and said: 'We as a nation have forgotten who we are. We lack belief, the West has denied its Christian roots. Well a tree without roots dies.'
Mr Tenconi ended his speech with a rallying cry and said: 'We're taking our country back'.
Meanwhile a short distance away, Stand Up To Racism supporters marched along and chanted: 'Say It loud and say it clear, refugees are welcome here.'
Some held LGBTQ and Palestinian flags, while others held up banners stating 'stop the far right'.
By the end of the afternoon, as demonstrators dispersed from the area after 4pm, both sides claimed success over their opposition.
UKIP, formerly led by Nigel Farage, declared on their social media: 'Today we reclaimed Manchester from the far-left. The people want mass-deportations.'
Meanwhile Stand Up To Racism claimed their supporters outnumbered those present for UKIP.
Police officers were forced to push the counter protesters back at a UKIP rally in Manchester calling for mass deportation
'Wherever the far right take to the streets, we'll be there opposing them.'
MailOnline has contacted Greater Manchester Police, Stand Up To Racism and UKIP for comment.
Comment: Meanwhile, Ireland "has exploded into a wave of violence as anti-migrant anger is at an all time high - after the number of people applying to come into the country rocketed by nearly 300 per cent five years."