Man Utd to Install 'Safe Standing' Section at Old Trafford in Early 2021

Manchester United will begin trialling ‘safe standing’ at Old Trafford once fans can return to games in larger numbers, and will install the necessary rail seating early next year.

All-seater stadiums have been a compulsory requirement for all Premier League clubs since 1994 in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and the subsequent Taylor Report, which investigated a number of aspects of stadium safety following the tragedy.

United have been working towards creating a ‘safe standing’ section for some time, which relies on rails being fitted in front of each row of seats that supporters can lean on, eliminating the risk of toppling. Each fan also still has an assigned seat to prevent overcrowding in certain areas.

United were granted permission from the local council to trial safe standing for 1,500 fans in the north east quadrant of Old Trafford. That was in April of this year, following several years’ worth of consultations with Manchester United Supporters’ Trust and the Fans’ Forum.

However, that was just a month into the first coronavirus lockdown and fans are still to return to Old Trafford because of its tier three status in the latest set of government restrictions.

Yet the move to safe standing is now another step closer to reality, with the Daily Mail reporting that the special seating will be installed early in 2021. The area of Old Trafford where they will be installed has had issues with persistent standing and it is seen as the best way of addressing safety.

“Our belief is that the introduction of barrier seats will enhance spectator safety in areas of the stadium where – as with other clubs – we have seen examples of persistent standing,” managing director Richard Arnold said when permission was initially granted.

“It also allows us to future-proof the stadium in the event of any changes to the current all-seater stadium policy. If the trial is successful, we may consider further implementation of barrier seating in other parts of the stadium.”

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