Manchester United have become the latest Premier League side to reveal plans to increase stadium capacity, following the revamps of Chelsea and Spurs.
While the two London clubs are completely rebuilding their homes, United intend to add to Old Trafford's capacity without relocating or even closing parts of the stadium during construction.
"The increase by more than 12,000 would be likely to start with an extra 7,500 seats in the Sir Bobby Charlton stand, formerly known as the main stand," reports the Daily Mail.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
"Previously, the railway line at the back of the structure meant expansion would require a costly tunnel and the demolition of a number of houses. Advances in technology, however, mean this may no longer be an issue.
"United would then look at adding quadrants in the two corners of the stand which they would be able to build without reducing capacity while work was ongoing.
"Following completion, capacity would stand at about 88,000 - putting Old Trafford second only to Barcelona’s 99,354-capacity Nou Camp at club level in Europe. It would be second in this country to Wembley (90,000) and bigger than Real Madrid’s Bernabeu (85,454)."
United's plans are being championed by supporters who want to see their team's stadium become one of the very biggest in Europe.
"The Manchester United Supporters' Trust [Must] want the Reds to increase the capacity of the stadium following the announcement that the expansion of the disabled fans' section will mean the displacement of 2,600 season ticket holders," reports the Manchester Evening News.
That move will allow an extra 300 wheelchair positions at Old Trafford, something Must has welcomed, although it wants the club to use the opportunity to expand the stadium and agree to a trial of safe standing areas - a variation of the old-style terraces phased out following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.
"It is believed United have examined the possibility of expanding the ground further with a number of options for the largely undeveloped Sir Bobby Charlton stand," says the MEN.
