Who shuts down Old Trafford?

Photo: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

Photo: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

Published Feb 5, 2016

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London - Manchester United are set to be forced into shutting a large section of the Sir Alex Ferguson stand for this month’s Europa League tie due to lack of demand.

Louis van Gaal’s side face Midtjylland in the second leg of the round-of-32 tie at Old Trafford in three weeks.

But they look like having to do so in front of a sparse crowd - even after ticket prices were slashed by around 25 per cent.

Tickets for the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand’s top tier are currently unavailable on United’s website and that looks likely to be closed regardless of sales.

The entire structure holds 25,000 - running along one touchline - and the club have written to supporters who had already bought tickets to say they are being moved to ‘better seats elsewhere at no extra cost’. Fans who have purchased in the lower tier have not been contacted and are set to remain where they are.

United’s failure to reach the latter stages of the Champions League will take up a portion of conversation when executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward fields questions from shareholders next Thursday. The disappointing exit will come under severe scrutiny after Woodward stood by Van Gaal.

The attendance against Midtjylland, who knocked out Southampton earlier this season, is set to be their worst of recent years in Europe.

A crowd of 59,265 saw United face Athletic Bilbao in Europe’s secondary competition four years ago while 67,328 turned out in the previous round against Ajax.

The clash on February 25 is expected to draw thousands fewer after season-ticket holders were given the option to opt out of Europa League games, as well as Capital One Cup fixtures.

Daily Mail

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