Manchester United were founded as Newton Heath in 1878 and became Manchester United in 1902. Based at Old Trafford, the club are one of the biggest names in world football, with a history shaped by the Busby Babes, the Munich air disaster, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson. United have won major domestic and European honours and remain central to English football's global identity.
Old Trafford is Manchester United's historic home and remains one of the most recognisable football stadiums in the world. Known as the Theatre of Dreams, it sits in Trafford, south-west of Manchester city centre, close to the Manchester Ship Canal, the Trafford Wharf area and the Old Trafford cricket ground. The stadium has been expanded many times, so it combines huge scale with older features and a very distinctive traditional identity.
The four main stands are the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, Stretford End and East Stand. The Stretford End is the famous home end and remains the spiritual centre of United's vocal support. The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand is the largest stand, the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand is the older main stand along the south side, and the East Stand faces towards the forecourt, Megastore and Munich Tunnel area. Away supporters are normally located in the south-east corner, between the East Stand and Sir Bobby Charlton Stand.
Old Trafford is vast by English standards, with a capacity of more than 70,000, and the approach to the stadium is part of the experience: the Trinity statue, Munich memorials, forecourt, Megastore and long lines of food and merchandise stalls. Views vary because the stadium has been developed over time, but many areas give excellent sightlines. For neutrals, side-stand seats usually provide the best overall view, while the Stretford End is the most iconic home-supporter area.
A city rivalry split between red and blue Manchester, carrying old local bragging rights as well as modern title-era pressure and global attention.
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A rivalry built on the historic competition between Manchester and Liverpool as cities, then magnified by two of England’s most successful football institutions.
Manchester UnitedLiverpoolOld Trafford, Manchester | Premier League
A football expression of the old Yorkshire-Lancashire edge, made sharper by Leeds and Manchester United’s battles for dominance in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Away supporters at Old Trafford are normally housed in the south-east corner of the stadium. Manchester United's official visiting-supporters guide states that the away turnstiles are located at the South East corner and open two hours before kick-off. The section sits between the East Stand and the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, giving visiting fans a corner allocation close to home supporters.
The view from the away section is generally good for a large older stadium, though exact sightlines vary by row and block. The allocation is not a full end behind the goal, but the size of Old Trafford and the proximity to home areas can still make it a memorable away day. The concourse can become very busy at half-time and close to kick-off.
Away supporters should follow their own club's travel guide and Manchester United's visiting supporter instructions. Old Trafford is heavily stewarded and segregated on matchdays, and away fans should use only the designated south-east corner entrances. For high-profile fixtures, police may manage routes from coach parking, tram stops and nearby pubs.
From the north, approach Greater Manchester via the M6, M61 or M60 and head towards Trafford and Old Trafford. Use official parking information or the M16 0RA matchday area as a guide, but expect major congestion around Chester Road, Wharfside Way and Trafford Park. Avoid informal parking offers and use recognised car parks only.
From the south, a common route is to leave the M6 at Junction 19, follow the A556 towards Manchester, then connect towards the M56/M60 and A56 Chester Road. Continue towards Old Trafford and follow signs for official parking. Traffic around the stadium is heavy before and after the match, so leave a generous buffer.
From east Manchester or Yorkshire, use the M62/M60 and approach Trafford from the south or west side depending on traffic. The final roads around Old Trafford, Trafford Wharf Road and Chester Road can be slow. Consider parking further out and using Metrolink if you do not have a booked space.
From Liverpool, Warrington or the west, use the M62 or M56 towards Manchester and then connect to Trafford and Old Trafford. Official car parks and recognised private parking are safer than ad-hoc street offers. Expect delays after the match as traffic leaves the stadium, cricket ground and Trafford area together.
Old Trafford Metrolink stop is one of the main tram options for Manchester United home games and is a short walk from the stadium. It is served by the Altrincham line and is useful from Manchester city centre, Piccadilly, Deansgate-Castlefield and south Manchester. It becomes very busy after full-time, so allow time to queue.
Wharfside is a very useful Metrolink stop for Old Trafford, especially from the Trafford Centre line. It is close to the stadium and can be one of the most convenient tram stops depending on which stand you are using. TfGM lists Wharfside among the short-walk stops for the venue, but post-match queues and crowd control should be expected.
Trafford Bar is a good alternative Metrolink station for Old Trafford and is served by several tram routes. It is a longer walk than the closest stops but can offer more routing options towards the city centre, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport-side connections and Altrincham. It is useful if Old Trafford or Wharfside look heavily congested.
Manchester Piccadilly is the main national rail station for supporters travelling to Old Trafford from outside Manchester. There is no normal National Rail station at the stadium, so continue by Metrolink, bus, taxi or a longer walk from the city centre. Piccadilly is the best interchange for long-distance trains from London, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and elsewhere.
From Old Trafford Metrolink, walk past the cricket ground and follow Warwick Road / Sir Matt Busby Way routes towards Old Trafford. The walk usually takes around 10 minutes. After the match, the stop is very busy and queuing is normal.
From Wharfside, follow the short signed route towards Old Trafford via Trafford Wharf Road and the stadium approach. The walk is usually around 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your stand. It is one of the closest tram stops to the ground and can be very busy after matches.
From Trafford Bar, walk west towards Old Trafford via Chester Road and Warwick Road. The walk normally takes around 15 to 20 minutes. It is a useful alternative if the closest Metrolink stops are heavily congested or if your tram route naturally stops there.
Walking from Manchester Piccadilly to Old Trafford is possible but long, usually around 45 to 60 minutes. Most supporters should take Metrolink towards Old Trafford, Wharfside or Trafford Bar, or use a bus or taxi. If walking, follow city-centre routes towards Deansgate, Castlefield and then Trafford.
Manchester Airport is the best airport for Manchester United. Take a train from the airport to Manchester Piccadilly or use Metrolink from the airport into the tram network, then continue to Old Trafford, Wharfside or Trafford Bar. For many supporters, train to Piccadilly and Metrolink onward is the easiest public transport combination. A taxi to Old Trafford is realistic because the airport is on the south side of the city, but matchday traffic around Trafford can be slow.
Bee Network services 250, 255, 256 and 263 are among the main bus routes serving the Old Trafford area. They are useful from Manchester city centre, Trafford and south-west Manchester, though TfGM warns diversions can operate after matches.
Passenger Cars Group are another local private hire option for Trafford and the Old Trafford area. Matchday pick-up directly outside the stadium is difficult, so agree a nearby but realistic collection point with the operator.
Some Old Trafford parking can be pre-booked through Manchester United before an event, but availability is limited and depends on the fixture. This is the best option if you want official parking, especially for accessible needs or hospitality, but do not travel without a confirmed booking. Follow the car park details on your booking rather than relying on generic sat nav instructions.
Trafford Council operate pay-to-park event bays in the Trafford Village area of Trafford Park, close to Old Trafford. The current charge is listed at £7 in on-street parking bays, paid using the location code 3000. Use M17 1JE for the area, but only park in approved bays and do not hand cash to unofficial stewards.
The private Manchester United Car Parking site near the stadium offers a large manned and monitored matchday parking area a short walk from Old Trafford. Spaces are first come, first served, so early arrival is important. This can be convenient, but make sure you are entering the genuine car park and not following unofficial high-vis cash collectors nearby.
Pre-booked spaces around Trafford Park, Salford Quays and Old Trafford can be useful, especially if official parking is sold out. Pick a recognised car park or driveway listing, read access instructions carefully and avoid any informal roadside offers. Scams and illegal parking around Old Trafford have been widely reported, so signage and booking confirmation matter.
Pub near Old Trafford Cricket Ground and one of the more commonly mentioned options near Manchester United. It has been used by away fans at some fixtures, but door policy can vary.
Salford Quays bar option useful for away supporters who want to drink away from the immediate Old Trafford pubs. It is walkable to the stadium and close to tram links.
Large Wetherspoons pub in Salford Quays, useful for food and drink before walking or taking the tram towards Old Trafford. A practical away-day option away from the most home-focused pubs.
Famous Old Trafford fish and chip shop close to the stadium. One of the classic named food stops around Manchester United, but expect queues on matchdays.
Football-themed restaurant and cafe near Old Trafford, useful for supporters wanting a sit-down meal close to the ground. Booking is sensible on matchdays.
Large Wetherspoons pub in Salford Quays serving food and drinks. Useful for away fans wanting to eat away from the busiest immediate Old Trafford pubs.
Football-themed hotel beside Old Trafford and the most obvious stay for Manchester United matches. Very convenient, but matchday prices and availability can rise quickly.
Chain hotel close to Old Trafford and Trafford Park, useful for supporters wanting a straightforward stay near the stadium.
Salford Quays hotel within walking distance of Old Trafford. Good for supporters who want restaurants, tram links and a quieter base than the immediate stadium area.
Old Trafford is served by tram, rail, bus and road, but the scale of the crowd means every route becomes busy. The Metrolink stops at Old Trafford, Wharfside, Trafford Bar and Exchange Quay can all be useful depending on direction of travel, while Manchester city centre connections are often best handled by tram or organised bus rather than driving directly to the ground.
Driving without pre-booked parking is not recommended. Roads around Sir Matt Busby Way, Chester Road and the Trafford area become very congested, and many streets are restricted on matchdays. If driving, use official or reputable pre-booked parking and leave time for a slow exit after the final whistle.
For first-time visitors, arrive early. The stadium exterior, Megastore, statues and memorials are part of the visit, and security checks can add time. Away fans should be aware that pubs and routes around Old Trafford can be strongly home-orientated, so follow the visiting club's advice on where to drink and how to approach the ground.
Manchester United home tickets are sold through official club channels, with priority normally given to season-ticket holders, official members and supporters who meet the relevant sales criteria. Old Trafford has a huge capacity, but demand remains high, especially for Premier League matches against major clubs and rivals.
For neutrals, the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand or Sir Bobby Charlton Stand generally provide the best overall views and a more balanced matchday experience. The Stretford End is the iconic home atmosphere area and is best suited to United supporters. Seats near the away section in the south-east corner can be livelier and are not the first choice for a calm neutral visit.
Away tickets are sold by the visiting club, not Manchester United. Travelling supporters should use only official away-ticket channels and check whether any collection, digital-ticketing or identification requirements apply. United have also published 2026/27 ticketing updates, so home supporters should check current seat-usage and ticketing rules before buying or transferring tickets.
Old Trafford operates standard Premier League ground regulations, including searches on entry, no pyrotechnics, no pitch encroachment, no discriminatory behaviour and no alcohol consumption in view of the pitch. Supporters should use the correct entrance and allow time for security checks.
Manchester United publish prohibited-item, bag-restriction and safety information for supporters visiting Old Trafford. Large bags and unnecessary luggage should not be brought to the ground, and supporters should check the current list of prohibited items before travelling.
Away supporters must use the designated south-east corner away turnstiles and remain within the allocated away section. Attempting to access home areas as an away supporter, misusing tickets or ignoring segregation instructions may result in refusal of entry or ejection.
Manchester United publish an Old Trafford access statement and accessibility information for disabled supporters. Accessible facilities include wheelchair-user areas, companion seating, accessible toilets and dedicated access routes in different parts of the stadium. The access statement includes specific information for entrances and facilities around the East Stand and other areas.
Away disabled supporters should book through the visiting club and confirm the exact away accessible entrance, viewing position and companion-seat arrangements before travelling. Because Old Trafford is very large and busy, planning the route from parking, coach drop-off, tram stop or taxi point is essential.
The stadium has improved accessible facilities over time, but it remains an older ground in parts and can be challenging because of crowd size. Supporters with access requirements should contact the club or their own ticket office before the match, especially if they need parking, step-free routes, assistance or accessible toilet information.
Manchester United offer regular Old Trafford Museum and Stadium Tours on non-matchdays. The tour allows visitors to go behind the scenes at the stadium and visit areas linked to the club's history, with the museum forming a major part of the experience. The club advertises Old Trafford Tour and Museum opening times, with tours closed on home matchdays.
Tours should be booked through Manchester United's official channels. Official members may receive discounted tour tickets, and supporters with access requirements are asked to contact the museum and tours team before visiting. Tour routes and opening times can change around matchdays, events and stadium operations, so visitors should check before travelling.
Old Trafford’s museum and stadium tour is the main football attraction at the ground. Tours are usually restricted on home matchdays, so check before planning.
Major museum at Salford Quays, within walking distance of Old Trafford. A strong attraction for away fans arriving early.
Salford Quays media and leisure district with waterfront walks, food and TV landmarks. Useful before or after Manchester United matches.
Official Manchester United ticketing page for match tickets, membership sales, hospitality, accessibility information and fixture-specific ticket updates.
Official website for Manchester United. Useful for tickets, travel updates, accessibility information, stadium rules and matchday announcements.
Useful starting point for information about Old Trafford, including visitor details, stadium facilities and matchday guidance where available.