OLD TRAFFORD - The Theatre of Dreams

[Andi Istiabudi]

Tidak sengaja menemukan artikel ini. Semoga saja stadion Old Trafford terus aman dari ancaman aksi teror dan kekerasan...

Brussels and Paris terror suspect 'The Man In The Hat' had pictures of Old Trafford on his phone
Mohamed Abrini had also visited Manchester's Arndale Centre and casinos during a trip to the UK



A key suspect in the terror attacks on Brussels and Paris was found with images of Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium on his mobile phone.

Mohamed Abrini, known as the 'man in the hat', came to Manchester, along with Birmingham, in July 2015, taking pictures of casinos and Old Trafford - and visiting the Arndale in Manchester and the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham.

Images of Old Trafford were found on his phone although the court heard that he had denied being on a 'reconnaissance mission' and there was no plan to carry out a UK attack.

The details have emerged in the London trial of Zakaria Boufassil, who, together with Mohammed Ali Ahmed, supplied £3,000 to Abrini, who was caught on CCTV at Brussels airport just before the bombing in March this year.

A jury of six men and six women at south west London’s Kingston Crown Court found Boufassil, 26, from Birmingham, guilty of engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism.

Boufassil, who looked stunned as the verdict was delivered, told the court during the trial that he was a cannabis user and a “moderate and tolerant” Sufi Muslim and described members of the so-called Islamic State as “worse than animals”.

On April 8 this year, Abrini, 31, was arrested in Belgium and accused of “participating in terrorist acts” linked to the Brussels Zaventem Airport suicide bombing on March 22.

The Belgian Moroccan is also wanted by French authorities for the November 13, 2015, attacks in Paris in which 130 people died.

In a transcript of an interview with Abrini by Belgian investigators, which was read to the court during the trial, he said that while visiting the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa, in Syria, a man called Abdelhamid Abaaoud had asked him to collect the cash in the UK as a “favour”.

He also revealed it had been “Zakaria” who had handed him the bag of money in the “forest”, but that he had not been told by Abaaoud who it was from or how much he was to collect.

During his UK visit, which took place between July 9 and July 16, 2015, Abrini visited casinos in Birmingham and Manchester, Old Trafford football stadium, the Arndale Shopping Centre in Manchester and the Bullring in Birmingham, after travelling to Britain from Syria via Turkey.

A number of images were found on the phone he had been using, which included one of a roulette machine, a number of pictures of Manchester United’s ground, and some of a moth in one of his hotel rooms.

Despite this, Abrini claimed that “neither in London, nor in Birmingham, nor in Manchester” had he been on any “reconnaissance trips in relation to preparatory terrorist attacks”.

Abrini also said there was no plan to attack England because the country has a “more developed secret service” as well as “better observation techniques”.

The court heard how money was taken from an account held by Anouar Haddouchi, an associate of Ahmed who previously lived in Birmingham and had travelled to Syria to fight for Islamic State. The account contained overpaid housing benefits totalling £5,413 which had been paid between December 21, 2014, and November 1, 2015.

Ahmed used a replacement debit card for the account to make 17 withdrawals between May 30 and June 30, 2015, and £3,000 of the cash was handed to Abrini in Small Heath Park, Birmingham, on July 11 last year.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

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MANCHESTER UNITED CONFIRMS STADIUM ACCESSIBILITY PLANS

• Structural changes complete in August 2017
• Move will affect 2,600 Season Ticket holders
• Relocation of affected fans phased over 3 years

Manchester United has confirmed plans for improvements to Old Trafford’s provision for disabled supporters, following very positive and constructive consultation with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association (MUDSA).

The club spoke to a number of architects and undertook a thorough examination of dozens of options to increase the capacity for disabled supporters within the stadium, in line with the Accessible Stadia guide and engaged with a large number of stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcome.

The significant structural work will accommodate over 300 new positions for disabled supporters, including the installation of new wheelchair user platforms, the widening of vomitories, and new amenity seats for other disabled supporters.

All structural work will be completed ahead of the 2017/18 campaign, allowing all the new accessible facilities to be used immediately for friendlies and cup games not included in the automatic cup scheme.

However, owing to the fact that the changes will displace some 2,600 Season Ticket holders, the club has developed a three-year phased programme of relocating fans from their current seats, in order to allow time to find suitable alternative seats, with around 800 fans being relocated for the 2017/18 season.

To enable this phased & flexible approach, the structural design will incorporate state-of-the-art reversible platforms and from next season, 100 of the 300 new positions created will be used for Premier League and some cup games.

The club has devised a goodwill package for supporters who will need to be relocated, in recognition of the inconvenience and disappointment that moving seats causes. This includes covering any difference in cost (if seats cannot be found in an equivalently priced area) and free cup tickets for all ties played at Old Trafford for a year.

Speaking of the changes, Manchester United's Group Managing Director Richard Arnold commented:

"Old Trafford is a home for all United fans and these changes will help many more of our loyal disabled supporters to attend games to watch their heroes. Manchester United prides itself on its work in this area for more than 25 years, and will continue to ensure that it remains at the forefront of our thinking. In recent years, the club has introduced designated areas where wheelchair users can sit alongside friends and family, was one of the first in the country to install a Changing Places facility, while our Ability Suite remains the best accessibility lounge in any UK sports stadium, over a decade after its initial introduction.

"We have worked openly and continuously for over a year with the EHRC, MUDSA, architects and a significant number of stakeholders, including Level Playing Field, supporters’ groups and the club’s Fans’ Forum, to make sure that these improvements take into consideration all affected fans. It is also the fastest way to implement the changes and minimises the number of Season Ticket holders that will have to be moved.

"We know that many of the affected Season Ticket holders have held their seats for decades and it will be a sacrifice to give them up. But we also know that the vast majority will understand and support this expansion. We are committed to finding a new home for every Season Ticket holder, either in an equivalent area, or if they choose a better seat our goodwill package will ensure they pay no more in the first season for having to move.

"We recognise how unsettling it can be for fans to move, not least because of the communities that develop within the stadium over many years and so we are giving fans the chance to try and relocate groups of Season Ticket holders together, in order to find the best possible solution for everybody.

"We have a unique situation at Old Trafford in that we have some 55,000 Season Ticket holders and enjoy sell-out crowds for every game, and the number of seats that become available each summer is very small. This makes moving large numbers of fans to similar seats within the stadium impossible in a short space of time."

Chas Banks, Secretary of the Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association (MUDSA) welcomed the changes, saying:

"I'm filled with pride that the club I've supported since first coming to Old Trafford as a little boy in 1957, is leading the way in increasing accessible seating to meet the standards set out in the Accessible Stadia guide. It's a dream come true for me and many other disabled United fans.

"This is a huge task and it can't be completed overnight. However, it will be completed faster than most believed possible. More importantly, this expansion is the beginning of a process, not the end. Manchester United is constantly looking to improve in every area and I’m confident they will apply that same ambition towards their disabled fans.

"Finally, on behalf of all the disabled members, I'd like to send my sincere thanks to all of our fellow fans who have to move to allow this expansion to happen. Without your cooperation, our dream couldn't come true and we thank you for your help and patience."

www.manutd.com

[penk22_]

CLUB STATEMENT ABOUT OLD TRAFFORD FIRE



The club can confirm a small electrical fire was identified quickly in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand at around 07:00 GMT on Monday morning.

The fire brigade attended and the isolated incident was dealt with quickly and effectively.

There was minimal damage to the area and there were no injuries.

Smoke was pouring from Old Trafford’s Sir Bobby Charlton stand this morning after a faulty lift sparked a blaze.

Firefighters were quickly on the scene at the home of Manchester United and hadthe situation under control.

They checked that the rest of the stadium is safe, while United confirmed that there was only “minimal damage”.

A faulty lift is believed to have been the cause, sparking a blaze in the motor room of the South Stand, also known as the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service told the Manchester Evening News: “We were called at 6.58am to Sir Matt Busby Way.

“Three fire engines from Manchester, Salford and Stretford attended the scene.

“We have isolated the electrics and extinguished the fire using breathing apparatus and a CO2 fire extinguisher.

“We are still on the scene.”

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2737223/old-trafford-fire-manchester-united/#

[Andi Istiabudi]

Stadion sekelas Old Trafford harusnya sih punya sistem pemadam api otomatis yang canggih

[Andi Istiabudi]

Kasihan stadion Manchester City tidak termasuk dalam rute tujuan bus wisata Manchester ini

New Greater Manchester tour bus will visit Manchester Utd's Old Trafford - but not Manchester City's Etihad Stadium

The open top tour bus launches over Easter Weekend - but only has time for one football stadium stop



A new open-top sightseeing bus launches this weekend, taking tourists to 15 'must see' sights around the region - but only one of the city's Premiership football clubs is on the route.

The tour bus will take in 15 tourist 'hotspots', including Manchester Utd 's Old Trafford stadium - but it won't be going to Manchester City 's Etihad Stadium until later in the year.

The hop-on hop-off bus makes its inaugural journey on Good Friday - April 14 - and tourism bosses say it wi ll 'fill a significant gap in the market' as Manchester is currently one of few cities in the UK without a daily sightseeing bus tour.

The bus will have wifi to allow visitors to download a tour app and access the internet whilst travelling on the route - although that will only be available two weeks after the first ride.

A spokesman for Marketing Manchester - which put together the tour with operator Philip Higgs - said it was 'impossible to accommodate all landmarks and attractions on the initial route whilst keeping to the 90 minute timeframe.'

"This timeframe is important for those who just want sit on the bus for the duration of the tour and do not want to utilise the hop-on hop-off aspect," he said.

"Through our in depth visitor information research we know that those hotspots on the initial route are some of Greater Manchester’s most visited and popular attractions and they fit together to form a diverse, cohesive and efficient sightseeing route.

"Additional routes will be launched later in the year and visitors who wish to do so will be able to hop on and off between routes using their one purchased ticket."

The extra routes are expected to visit 'areas of East Manchester and the University corridor.'

Tourists will be able to buy a ticket and jump on and off the bus as many times as they like across a 24 hour period.

Tickets, which are available online , will cost £12 for adults, £6 young person and students; £25 for a family of two adults and three children or £30 for four adults (£30) - cheaper than in Edinburgh and London.

The full route is: Manchester Town Hall; King Street; Aytoun Street; Piccadilly Gardens; Church Street; National Football Museum and Victoria Station; Manchester Cathedral; Salford Cathedral; Salford University; The Lowry and The Quays; Trafford Road; Old Trafford; Imperial War Museum North; Museum of Science and Industry; Bridgewater Hall; and returning to Manchester Town Hall.

The tour will run every day apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day with multiple departures per day.

The commentary for the tour will be provided by Lord of the Rings and Lost actor Dominic Monaghan, who grew up in Stockport.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

[Andi Istiabudi]

60 YEARS SINCE OLD TRAFFORD'S EUROPEAN BOW

Sixty years ago today, Old Trafford staged its first ever European match as Manchester United hosted Real Madrid in front of a fascinated, fervent and predominantly local crowd.

The Theatre of Dreams has since become synonymous with Europe, having staged more than 150 Manchester United matches in three different continental competitions and also a final in which the Reds didn't play - the Champions League showpiece between AC Milan and Juventus in 2003. But the rise in the stadium's stature beyond the shores of England effectively began on that historic night of Wednesday 25 April 1957.

By then, United had already won three 'home' matches in the earlier rounds of the 1956/57 European Cup campaign - against Anderlecht (a club record 10-0), Borussia Dortmund (3-2) and Athletic Bilbao (3-0) - but as Old Trafford was still without floodlights and therefore incapable of hosting evening games, these fixtures were all played at Manchester City's Maine Road ground.

When the semi-finals arrived in April, the Reds' own venue was ready to stage the second leg against the mighty Real Madrid; 65,000 supporters turned up to see if Matt Busby's men could overcome the 3-1 first-leg deficit inflicted by the mercurial likes of Alfredo di Stefano and Francisco Gento at the Bernabeu.

For hours before kick-off, the stadium rumbled with intent. "If noise could have served their purpose, United would have won hands down," reported The Guardian.

Unfortunately, two wonderful team goals for the Spanish conquistadors, finished off by Raymond Kopa and Enrique Mateos, rendered the tie all but over after little more than half an hour. However, United bounced back after the break, roared on by the home support.

"The crowd created a surge of desire to show Real that we could play at their level," said Bobby Charlton, who followed up Tommy Taylor’s goal to make it 2-2 on the night in the 85th minute. The Reds continued to believe but ultimately tumbled out 5-3 on aggregate.

This first taste of European football at Old Trafford yielded mixed emotions - disappointment as a first-leg deficit proved insurmountable but excitement at entering a brave new world. In the following season, 1957/58, the visitors came from Ireland (Shamrock Rovers), Czechoslovakia (Dukla Prague), Italy (AC Milan) and fatefully Yugoslavia (Red Star Belgrade), from where some of Busby's players never arrived home after the second leg.

UNITED'S RECORD IN EUROPEAN MATCHES AT OLD TRAFFORD

European Cup / Champions League
Played 126; Won 91, Drawn 25, Lost 10; Goals For 290, Against 103

Inter-Cities Fairs Cup / UEFA Cup / Europa League
Played 25; Won 15, Drawn 8, Lost 2; Goals For 51, Against 18

European Super Cup
Played 1; Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 0; Goals For 1, Against 0

Totals of all European competitions
Played 152; Won 107, Drawn 33, Lost 13; Goals For 342, Against 121

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

UPDATE ON MANCHESTER UNITED STADIUM ACCESSIBILITY PLANS

Manchester United began work on the improvements to Old Trafford’s provision for disabled supporters at the end of last season, creating over 300 new positions for disabled supporters, including the installation of new wheelchair user platforms, the widening of vomitories and new amenity seats for other disabled supporters.

However, because the changes will displace some 2,600 Season Ticket holders, the club developed a three-year phased programme of relocating fans from their current seats, in order to allow time to find suitable alternative seats, with all new facilities being in use for the 2020-21 season.

Work is progressing well, although, like any significant building project on an old structure, there are a few unforeseen setbacks that have added to the complexity of the work across the three stands. The club hopes that all structural work will still be completed ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

The three-year phased plan is still on course to be completed for the start of the 2020-21 season, however, unfortunately the introduction of new accessible facilities in the North Stand is subject to some delay whilst the club undertake necessary assessments from both a safety and customer service perspective.

The club has a duty of care to fully assess the impact of disabled and non-disabled supporters using a shared concourse, before introducing any new facilities. Both computer modelling and ‘real-time’ assessments will be carried out by a third party during the course of the 2017-18 season, in a controlled manner, to ensure the safety of, and provide the best possible experience for all supporters.

Assessments will initially take place in the East Stand where some disabled supporters will make use of a new entrance and share the main concourse with non-disabled supporters for the first time. Due to the size of the East Stand concourse, this area is deemed the most suitable for the initial assessments, allowing the club to better understand the challenges of disabled and non-disabled supporters using a shared concourse in a ‘live’ operational setting, whilst minimising any risk.

Once the results of the initial assessments are known and have been considered, the club will look to broaden the assessments to include other areas for friendlies and cup games not included in the automatic cup scheme; accordingly the club will also review the roll-out plan and communicate ahead of the 2018-19 season.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Premier League have both been made aware of the above, and have been assured of the club’s continued commitment to equality and the fulfilment of our Stadium Accessibility Plans for the start of the 2020-21 season as previously communicated.

Additionally, Season Ticket holders who were relocated over the summer, and disabled supporters, have also been notified, and the club thanks them for their understanding and continued loyal support.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Siap-siap 5 Juni Mick Jagger cs bakal mengguncang Old Trafford



THE ROLLING STONES

NO STOPPING THE ROLLING STONES BACK HOME WITH FIVE ‘NO FILTER’ UK SHOWS AND MORE IN EUROPE

UK TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 2

#StonesNoFilter

Just like they promised The Rolling Stones are back where they belong on home turf with a number of massive UK concerts in May and June, including Old Trafford on June 5.

Part two of the ‘STONES - NO FILTER’ tour, sees Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood continue on from their hugely successful sold out European trek in the autumn of last year.

The Rolling Stones will treat fans to a set list packed full of classics such as ‘Satisfaction’, ‘Paint It Black’, ‘Jumpin Jack Flash’, ‘Tumbling Dice’, ‘Doom & Gloom’ & ‘Brown Sugar’ but each night they will include a couple of unexpected tracks and randomly selected surprises from their formidable arsenal of songs. As always when the Rolling Stones come to town they will bring a spectacular production and state of the art stage design.

Keith Richards – “It’s such a joy to play with this band there’s no stopping us, we’re only just getting started really.”

Mick Jagger - ‘‘This part of the ‘No Filter’ tour is really special for the Stones. We are looking forward to getting back onstage in the summer and playing to fans in the UK and Ireland. Its always exhilarating going to cities we haven’t played for quite a while and also some new venues for us like Old Trafford & The London Stadium.’’

Charlie Watts – “The Stones audience is the glue that keeps us together. The best and most satisfying moment is when you are reaching the end of the show and they are all going nuts.”

Ronnie Wood - “When I look out at the sea of people when we play all I can see is smiles. It’s heart-warming and I’m glad we make people happy. Music makes me happy, and it makes them happy…. its infectious”

The Rolling Stones last played in the UK in the summer of 2013 with their unforgettable Glastonbury headline show on the Pyramid Stage, followed by two sensational shows in London’s Hyde Park where they played to a sold-out crowd of 65,000 fans.

- UK shows go on general sale at 9am GMT on Friday March 2nd

Support acts will be announced at a later date.

Over the past eighteen months the Rolling Stones have been on top of their game with the release of the Grammy Award winning ‘Blue & Lonesome’. They also produced a critically acclaimed documentary film focusing on their ground-breaking show in Cuba. ‘Olé Olé Olé!, - a trip across South America’, directed by Paul Dugdale.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

SOCCER AID: BOLT V WILLIAMS AT OLD TRAFFORD

Olympic hero Usain Bolt and global pop star Robbie Williams have announced on social media that they will go head-to-head for the eagerly anticipated Soccer Aid for Unicef match, as part of a new-look charity campaign for Unicef UK and ITV.

Usain’s Soccer Aid World XI will go up against Robbie’s England side with competing teams made up of A-list stars and footballing legends set to walk out onto the Theatre of Dreams pitch this summer to take part in a game like no other.

The official launch marks the start of a series of surprise player unveilings with Robbie, the Unicef UK Ambassador who co-founded and launched Soccer Aid in 2006, kicking off the excitement by playfully teasing newcomer Usain. Over the coming weeks, the England v Soccer Aid World XI rivalry is set to intensify, with some of football’s biggest legends and celebrities set to join the line-ups.

The international friendly match will take place at Old Trafford on Sunday 10 June, just four days before the FIFA World Cup in Russia begins. Tickets are on sale from 08:00 GMT today (Tuesday 27 February) at www.manutd.com/socceraid and the game will be broadcast live on ITV. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 BST.

Soccer Aid for Unicef is the original England v Soccer Aid World XI charity match. It has previously featured A-list stars such as Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Mike Myers and Niall Horan, plus footballing royalty including Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldinho. Soccer Aid for Unicef 2018 is set to be bigger and better than ever.

Usain Bolt said: “It is my dream to make it as a professional footballer, so to be able to step out onto the pitch at Old Trafford in June, and play against some of football’s biggest legends is going to be remarkable. I enjoy the thrill of competition in front of a crowd, so Robbie and his England team had better watch out as I won’t be going easy on them! I’ve got a pretty special celebration planned for when I score, by the way. My team is going to be unbeatable – and Soccer Aid for Unicef is counting on your support to make a difference to thousands of children around the world. Come and join in the fun!”

Robbie Williams, Unicef UK Ambassador and co-founder of Soccer Aid, added: “I am buzzing that Soccer Aid for Unicef is back. Reclaiming the title for England this year is going to taste so much sweeter with Usain leading the Soccer Aid World XI. I can’t wait to lead out the England team on Sunday 10 June at Old Trafford in what really is a game like no other. With your support, we will help children in danger around the world.”

Unicef, the world’s leading organisation for children, has joined forces with ITV to make the pro-celebrity football match bigger and better than ever, with more potential to raise money and vital support for children in danger. Soccer Aid for Unicef is produced by Initial, part of Endemol Shine UK, for ITV.
100 per cent of all public donations to Soccer Aid for Unicef will go towards supporting the vital work protecting children in the UK and globally. The money raised through profits from ticket sales and viewer donations during the match will add to the incredible £24 million that has already been raised through Soccer Aid over the last 12 years.

The match will be further complemented by a mass public fundraising activity, with more details to be announced soon. Additionally, on Friday 8 June, a Soccer Aid Playground Challenge will involve schools up and down the country taking part in an exciting activity programme, generating vital donations.

Tickets for the Soccer Aid for Unicef match are available now at www.manutd.com/socceraid or by calling 0161 444 2018 with tickets priced between £10 and £50. Visit www.unicef.org.uk/socceraid to find out more and follow @SoccerAid on Twitter and Instagram, ‘Soccer Aid’ on Facebook and use the hashtag #SoccerAid for regular player and match updates.

www.manutd.com

[zudomiriku]

Manchester United set to shelve Old Trafford revamp to fuel summer spending spree for Jose Mourinho

* Plans were in place for Manchester United to increase Old Trafford's capacity
* The proposal would see the stadium's capacity increase from 75,000 to 88,000
* A club insider revealed to Sportsmail that the plans could be scrapped
* United could fund a summer spending spree for manager Jose Mourinho

Proposals for Old Trafford to be expanded to a capacity of 88,000 are likely to be scuppered by Manchester United's desire to back Jose Mourinho in the summer transfer market.

United had plans to increase the stadium from its current 75,000 seats to improve the atmosphere in the stands and the club's corporate hospitality.

While the proposals are under review, a club insider has told Sportsmail that the financial priority is to ensure the manager has the funds he needs to improve his squad.

Mourinho has sought talks with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about the subdued atmosphere at the ground, while supporters have criticised Old Trafford's layout, complaining that it does not make for a raucous environment.

However, despite having spent £300million since arriving in May 2016, the Portuguese's squad needs an upgrade.

Mourinho's men sit 13 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City and, while United are still in the Champions League and FA Cup, they are relying on veterans such as Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, both 32, to bridge the gap.


Jose Mourinho could be granted the chance to go on another summer spending spree. Manchester United had planned to increased Old Trafford's capacity to 88,000 from 75,000

An engineering breakthrough has increased the options for expansion. Previously it was thought that attempts to extend the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, the smallest and oldest at the ground, would be impractical because of the railway line running behind it. Proposals which included building a tunnel over the line were seen as too expensive to be viable.

However, new plans allow for the stand to be raised higher without affecting the railway. Officials continue to explore ways to make it financially credible.

Pressure has increased recently after complaints over the ground's atmosphere and the corporate hospitality on offer.

Mourinho branded Old Trafford a 'quiet stadium' after the 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town last month and he is keen to solve the problem. United have consulted acoustics experts and in 2014-15 introduced a singing section in an attempt to increase noise levels.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) called on the club recently to change the seating plan. They believe the large corporate section in the Stretford End diminishes the atmosphere.

Should a tier be added to the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, it would provide around 7,500 seats and clear the way for two further quadrants in the corners, raising Old Trafford's capacity to around 88,000.

That would leave the ground's capacity behind only that of Wembley and Barcelona's Nou Camp in Europe. The increased capacity would also more than cover the cost of seats lost due to the proposed expansion of the disabled section.


United manager Mourinho and supporters have criticised the stadium's lack of atmosphere. It was thought that attempts to extend the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand would be impractical

Regarding hospitality, United have fallen behind rivals who have been able to expand their stadiums or move to new homes. An industry insider told Sportsmail that Manchester City now have the prime venue, saying: 'It's accepted that when it comes to corporate hospitality, City are streets ahead.

'United still have the big pull, because of the prestige and history of the club, (but) City's Tunnel Club is 10 years ahead of anything they have at Old Trafford.

'It's not that United's offering is not good, because it is. However, there is no wow factor. You're talking good at United, but out-of-this-world at City.'

United also struggle for space, and offer a Lancashire Package to supporters. Those who take that option use the corporate facilities at Emirates Old Trafford, the nearby home of Lancashire County Cricket Club, where they dine pre-match before traipsing to the football ground.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5447045/Manchester-United-shelve-Old-Trafford-revamp.html