United fans to press for safe standing

Club to address complaints about Old Trafford atmosphere

Manchester United will come under pressure to bring in safe-standing areas when executives meet supporters this month to discuss Jose Mourinho’s complaints about the atmosphere at Old Trafford.

Mourinho’s comments have been placed on the agenda at the next fans’ forum, which is routinely attended by senior figures at the club.

United’s manager complained after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town that the home crowd had been “quiet”, as well as drawing unfavourable comparisons with the atmosphere at Portsmouth, whose ground boasts barely a quarter of Old Trafford’s capacity.

The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust pinned most of the blame on the lack of “supporter ownership and engagement” under the Glazer regime. It also revealed it had recently met directors to discuss changes that could improve the atmosphere, including the introduction of safe standing, which would need government approval.

It said in a statement: “It’s an issue affecting clubs throughout the country. We believe that atmosphere is primarily dependent on the perceived relationship between fans and club — including the degree of supporter ownership and engagement. In the absence of any imminent changes in the former, we therefore concentrate on other areas where we can have an impact in the short to medium term.”

A club spokesman said yesterday: “Any solution must be fan-led, and moving people out of seats they have held for many years is fraught with problems.”

Meanwhile, the English Premier League could emulate other European competitions by introducing a winter break.

The Premier League says it has been in talks for several months about finding a gap in the soccer calendar with the Football Association and English Football League, which organises the three divisions below the top flight.