After Old Trafford has remained quiet for longer than a year, fans will, at last, be permitted to be back inside the ground for Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Fulham.
Manchester United’s record inside a fan-less stadium has been not exactly great. What used to be known as a ‘Fearsome Old Trafford’ has been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side’s Achilles heel, while their away record has been praiseworthy.
A win or draw against Wolves in their last game will mean they have gone the entire Premier League season undefeated out and about in spite of having lost multiple times in a similar league at home.
The shortfall of fans is very likely a colossal piece of that thus the news that 10,000 fans will be permitted to go to Tuesday’s match against Fulham, notwithstanding late fights and protests, is very gladly received.
The Mail has reported: ‘The decision to allow 10,000 fans into the ground for Tuesday’s game against Fulham was reviewed on Friday following anti-Glazer demonstrations. What had been considered a formality following the Government’s decision to ease lockdown restrictions was thrown into doubt by Thursday’s protest before the defeat by Liverpool. But after urgent talks between United and their safety advisory group — made up of Trafford Borough Council, local police, and emergency services — a safety certificate for the Fulham game was eventually issued late in the day. United will now welcome fans into Old Trafford for the first time in more than 14 months, going back to the Manchester derby in March last year. It could present opportunities for troublemakers, and there are fears protesters may infiltrate the match-going fans to cause more disruption. United are confident they will know who is coming into Old Trafford, with supporters applying for tickets through a ballot system and facing strict identity checks at the ground.’
With Fulham are already relegated and United previously ensured Champions League football, the aftereffect of Tuesday’s match isn’t significant.
Nonetheless, Solskjaer’s men hearing the fans singing their names again could give welcome confidence for the players as they plan for the Europa League finals against Villareal on May 26th which will be an important tie.
