Manchester United have looked to bitter rivals Manchester City for inspiration as they look to improve the match-day atmosphere around Old Trafford.
The Sun report that United are currently planning to create a fanzone outside the club's iconic stadium that will look to replicate the entertainment on offer in City Square, which has become hugely popular with visitors to the Etihad Stadium.
United are reported to have been so taken by the success of City's initiative that they have recruited the same agency, Ear to the Ground, to recreate the zone.
The area offers pre-match entertainment, with live bands, fresh food and coaching sessions for children.
United are also understood to view it as an opportunity to bring in further revenue and they will be hoping that the new entertainment zone will encourage supporters to spend more money on match-day and that it will also provide the feel of a family day-out for fans.
It is also expected that United will look to attract a commercial partner to sponsor the zone and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of City, who secured a three-year deal with BT Sport, with the all-purpose entertainment area now known as BT City Square.
In 2012, United had considered setting up a designated 'singing section' inside Old Trafford, but the plans were shelved due to security fears.
United fans are regularly taunted by visiting fans due to the lack of atmosphere inside the Theatre of Dreams, with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson famously blasting his own fans following a particularly quiet afternoon in 2008.
Speaking after United's 1-0 victory over Birmingham, Ferguson said: 'The crowd were dead. That was the quietest I have heard the crowd and it's disappointing because we needed the crowd today. We have come through a difficult period of game after game and in moments like these we need a lift. But it was like a funeral out there.'
Source: Daily Mail UK
Manchester United have looked to bitter rivals Manchester City for inspiration as they look to improve the match-day atmosphere around Old Trafford.
The Sun report that United are currently planning to create a fanzone outside the club's iconic stadium that will look to replicate the entertainment on offer in City Square, which has become hugely popular with visitors to the Etihad Stadium.
United are reported to have been so taken by the success of City's initiative that they have recruited the same agency, Ear to the Ground, to recreate the zone.
The area offers pre-match entertainment, with live bands, fresh food and coaching sessions for children.
United are also understood to view it as an opportunity to bring in further revenue and they will be hoping that the new entertainment zone will encourage supporters to spend more money on match-day and that it will also provide the feel of a family day-out for fans.
It is also expected that United will look to attract a commercial partner to sponsor the zone and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of City, who secured a three-year deal with BT Sport, with the all-purpose entertainment area now known as BT City Square.
In 2012, United had considered setting up a designated 'singing section' inside Old Trafford, but the plans were shelved due to security fears.
United fans are regularly taunted by visiting fans due to the lack of atmosphere inside the Theatre of Dreams, with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson famously blasting his own fans following a particularly quiet afternoon in 2008.
Speaking after United's 1-0 victory over Birmingham, Ferguson said: 'The crowd were dead. That was the quietest I have heard the crowd and it's disappointing because we needed the crowd today. We have come through a difficult period of game after game and in moments like these we need a lift. But it was like a funeral out there.'
Source: Daily Mail UK
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