Manchester
United
Old
Trafford
The
Ground
With the
completion of an additional tier of seating in the North East &
North West corners, costing some £45m, Old Trafford the then largest
league ground in Britain, has got even bigger. Whether the Club
continue with the expansion of Old Trafford by replacing the old
Main (South) Stand, remains to be seen. The proximity of a railway
line directly behind this stand has prevented re-development in the
past, but I would not be surprised if this eventually happens as the
Club have nowhere else left in the stadium that they can expand
upon.
Old Trafford has always been a special place as it was one of the few
grounds where the stands envelop the corners. Although more grounds
are now also totally enclosed, Old Trafford's sheer size still makes
it a bewildering sight. Both ends, which look almost
identical, are large two tiered stands. Each
are steep, with a large lower tier and smaller upper tier. The three
tiered North Stand at one side of the ground, is the largest
capacity stand of any League Ground in England. The
corners each side of the North Stand are also filled with seating
and extend around to meet both ends. These re-developed
stands dwarf the older Main (South) Stand on
the opposite side. This stand is single tiered, with a television
gantry suspended below its roof. All the stands have a row of
executive boxes at the back of the lower tier.
The ground
looks a little imbalanced with the smaller older Main (South) Stand looking somewhat out of place with
its larger newer neighbours. However, in my opinion the best views
of the ground are from the front of this stand and from the away
section, as you look out upon the three newer, larger sides. Still,
if this Main Stand was to be re-developed in the same manner as the
others, then the ground would possibly be the envy of Europe.
Unusual
aspects of the ground include the raised pitch, and that the teams
enter the field from the corner of the Main Stand. Outside the
ground is the Sir Matt Busby Statue fronting
the impressive green glassed East Stand facade. There is also a
clock and plaque in remembrance of the Munich disaster. Across Sir
Matt Busby Way is the recently erected statue of three of the 1968
European Cup winning team; George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton
(now Sir). |
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