Old Trafford will feature 40,000 fan faces in mosaic when Manchester United FC face Sheffield United in the Premier League. The stadium will host a match for the first time after 8th March 2020, when United won the Manchester Derby. The stadium will not have fans, but Manchester United have placed faces of 40,000 fans in mosaic all across the stands.
Football hasn’t been the same without fans and Manchester United have made it a point to make it up to their fans. The corona pandemic has banned stadiums to host fans, but clubs are using different techniques to involve the fans. This action of putting up mosaic fan faces is a way to show gratitude to the Manchester United faithful.
Old Trafford hosts Sheffield United tonight as the race for Champions League reaches its climax. Manchester United and Sheffield stand only two points apart in the Premier League table. This game holds a lot of value as it might help United close the gap on Chelsea, who host Manchester City this week.
Old Trafford is always filled with fans, no matter the opposition and the importance of the match. United faithful have always chosen to support the team and this initiative by the club is going to be a welcome prospect. There is no guarantee of when fans will return to stadiums, thus United are making sure the players won’t miss the buzz.
The stands of the stadium will contain 40,000 mosaic fan faces, which will include supporters from 193 countries. This will also be a sign of the diversity of supporters the club has. The Stretford End will also have a banner saying “football is nothing without fans.”
Manchester United have been very vocal about their support for NHS staff and social distancing. The club has been providing 60,000 meals for NHS staff, which are cooked in the stadium kitchen. The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand will also have a banner saying “United for the Heroes”.
Fans have high hopes from Manchester United at their return to the Theatre of Dreams. The blades aren’t at their formidable best, and United can look to exploit their weaknesses. Let’s see if United continue their loss-less streak, or if Sheffield come up with a shock.
