Exclusive | Manchester United to try out safe standing at Old Trafford when football returns
- Club has been allowed to introduce a 1,500-capacity section of ‘rail seating’ by local council with MUST negotiating participants
- Standing officially ended when stadium became an all-seater in 1994 but fans have persistently stood
Manchester United have received the go ahead to trial a section of barrier seating, commonly referred to as rail seats, at Old Trafford when football resumes with supporters inside stadiums.
United fans have long favoured the idea of having a choice whether they sit or stand at matches ever since Old Trafford’s last standing terrace was turned to seating in 1994. A similar section inside Celtic Park in Glasgow has been a success, boosting the atmosphere and allowing fans who want to stand to do so together.
United have long been in favour of allowing their fans the option to stand at games, but legislation has prevented it. Changes have meant that the club’s local Safety Advisory Group at Trafford Council have given approval for a 1,500 capacity section in the North East quadrant corner section known by fans as “J Stand” to be used for the trial.
The rail seats will be installed in an area long associated with persistent standing by supporters. It is safer if these fans stand with a barrier in front of them. As it is a trial the area needs to be of a manageable size.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has been pushing for safe standing sections to be introduced to Old Trafford since the 1990s.
Old Trafford’s atmosphere was badly affected when the stadium went all-seater, in tandem with sharply rising ticket prices. Those prices have now remained static for a decade, with more discounts given to younger fans.
