United aim to stir ‘prawns’

MANCHESTER UNITED have been urged to relocate executive supporters once dubbed the “prawn sandwich” brigade as well as the family stand and disabled section at Old Trafford in a bid to improve the stadium’s troubled atmosphere, which has been questioned by Jose Mourinho, WRITES JAMES DUCKER.

The manager’s most recent criticism came after United’s 2-0 victory over Huddersfield, when said fans were “quiet”.

The Portuguese (right) has made several remarks about the atmosphere since taking charge in 2016 and his concerns are shared by the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, which has laid out a series of proposals in an open letter to the club’s group managing director, Richard Arnold.

While it wants to see the 76,000 capacity expanded and safe standing introduced in the longer term, they have encouraged the club to consider a set of interim measures that could improve the faltering atmosphere in the shorter term. These include moves to “reclaim” the Stretford End in the lower West Stand and the Scoreboard End in the lower East Stand behind both goals – historically the loudest sections of the ground – by seating the club’s most vocal fans together in cheaper seats.

The Stretford End proposals would mean relocating part of the family stand as well as fans from the executive international suite, who form part of the corporate section once derided by Roy Keane as “prawn sandwich” eaters who “don’t realise what’s going on out on the pitch”.

The trust says that relocation of disabled fans could happen only once they have been offered “superior accommodation, custom designed to meet their requirements” but is keen to push for such a move.

“Then the East Lower section should revert to cheap seats (and standing when this is allowed) for vocal fans to mirror the Stretford End,” the letter reads. “Recreating two popular ends would power the atmosphere throughout the stadium.” (© Daily Telegraph, London)