Manchester United and rail seating at Old Trafford

Manchester United have applied for permission to install rail seating for up to 1,500 fans at Old Trafford.

United, one of the major supporters of safe standing, made the request to their local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) in December 2019.

The club proposes to replace some existing seats in the north-east corner of the stadium.

Season ticket holders in that area have been told a safe standing trial is likely to take place later this season.

In minutes published from a recent fans' forum meeting, United said it believed the introduction of rail seating will "enhance spectator safety" in areas of "persistent standing".

It added that the SAG is still reviewing the request.

Safe standing has 'positive impact' on fans' safety
Tottenham's new stadium has "safe seating" which has been "future-proofed" for the potential introduction of standing, while Wolves installed rail seating at their Molineux ground in the summer.

"It is fantastic news that the world's most famous club is seeking to enhance spectator safety in this way," said Jon Darch, of the Safe Standing campaign group.

"Hopefully, they will be very soon be able to not only install rail seats but also to operate any areas of Old Trafford fitted with this form of seating as official standing areas."

It comes just days after a government report found stadium seating areas which incorporate barriers have a "positive impact on spectator safety".

The interim report from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) found such seating areas "mitigate the risk of crowd collapse".

The government previously stated it "will work with fans and clubs towards introducing safe standing".

Wont change anything the stretford end are stood up for the 90 mins anyway

Dane wrote:

Wont change anything the stretford end are stood up for the 90 mins anyway

same here with blocks 3 and 4

funny how jon blacks threats of banning have ceased now on that front lol

I dont see what the problem is to be honest. I remember being sat in the mayflower when the teamp seats were in back in the championship days. Southampton Filled the away end and were all stood up yet the stewards were panicking about 50 of us craning our necks to see the other end of the pitch