Fan group’s plan to boost atmosphere

THE Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) has met with club officials to discuss improvements to Old Trafford and the stadium atmosphere.

Jose Mourinho has repeatedly criticised the noise levels at Old Trafford this season in programme notes and press conferences. Most recently, he accused supporters of being ‘quiet’ in the victory over Huddersfield and not matching the atmosphere Portsmouth fans generated at Fratton Park.

United are considering expanding the 76,000-seater stadium, and many supporters would welcome rail seating – which has been introduced at Celtic’s Parkhead ground and United have publicly supported.

But in an open letter to the club, MUST has called for interim measures to improve the atmosphere, including moving the family stand and executive areas to ‘reclaim’ the Stretford End and Scoreboard End for vocal groups of fans in cheaper seats.

The average age of season ticket holders continues to rise with many younger fans priced out of attending, and while a price reduction for young adults has been welcomed, the group has called for an extension of the concession age range to help the next generation of fans afford Old Trafford season tickets.

The letter reads: “Younger supporters should be given priority on any new migration into a rejuvenated Stretford End. Recreating two popular ends would power the atmosphere throughout the whole stadium.”