United to explore significant change to current pitch after tragedy last month – report

Manchester United are exploring the possibility of making a significant change to their pitch at Old Trafford.

Plans

There have been numerous stories reporting that United plan to build a new state-of-the-art stadium in the near future.

A new Wembley of the North as Sir Jim Ratcliffe would host 100,000 people and be the biggest stadium in the United Kingdom and second in Europe.

Nonetheless, even before planning permission has been sought for the new stadium, the club is considering making a big change to the current pitch.

Perimeter problem

The Sun report “Manchester United will look into changing the perimeter of the Old Trafford pitch to avoid the risk of injury to players.”

Since undergoing significant work in the mid-nineties, the pitch has been elevated and surrounded by a ditch.

In another unusual design, “brickwork separates the pitch and a rubber-surfaced footpath, which is positioned in front of the advertising hoardings.”

The particular characteristic of the stadium has been remarked upon for years by the club’s own supporters and also away visitors to Old Trafford.

The sight of players falling and slipping down the slopes of the pitch has been relatively commonplace.

A famous example was when Ashley Young shoulder charged Angel Di Maria in 2019 whilst playing Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentine went tumbling down the slope and into advertising boarding, much to the delight of the home faithful.

Tragedy

Nonetheless, a recent tragedy has finally changed United’s thinking on the pitch design.

The Sun reports that “former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar died last month after he sustained a ‘significant brain injury’ while playing for Chichester City at Wingate and Finchley FC.”

It is thought he clashed against a concrete wall which has since been demolished.

Fans forum

Last week, on the United fans’ forum, “a supporter highlighted the number of injuries across the Premier League caused by players hitting advertising hoardings at speed.”

They asked if United would consider investing in a transparent, soft material to cover them to enhance the protection of the players.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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