Manchester United are making significant changes to Old Trafford this summer as the club prepares for a return to Champions League football next season. The most notable alteration is the complete digging up of the pitch for the first time in 14 years, a decision driven by player welfare concerns and improved water drainage.
Pitch Renovation and Player Safety
Every year, the club resurface the pitch for the new season, but this summer they are taking the more drastic step of completely replacing the turf. The decision follows an incident at the end of last season when Benjamin Sesko injured himself during a win over Liverpool, which turned out to be his final appearance of the campaign. The steep drop at the side of the pitch was identified as a contributing factor.
While the pitch level is not being lowered, it is being slightly extended, and additional protection around the drop-off will be installed. This renovation marks the final time the grass will be regrown before United move to their new 100,000-seater stadium, for which the club now owns a significant portion of land around Old Trafford.
Dugout Expansion for UEFA Compliance
Work is also underway to revamp the dugouts at Old Trafford following a new UEFA rule that requires at least 20 seats. Previously, both the home and away dugouts could accommodate only 16 people. The expansion ensures the stadium meets UEFA standards for Champions League matches.
Further details on the new stadium are expected to be released on July 9. The club continues to invest in infrastructure to support its ambitions both on and off the pitch.
