Manchester United may well be pushing forward with plans to build a new 100,000-seater stadium, but that doesn't mean that they are just going to let Old Trafford continue to rot until their new stadium is ready.
Since INEOS took charge of football operations at Man Utd in February 2024, they have made several adjustments to Old Trafford, and the latest stadium project is now complete.
New safe standing section at Old Trafford to open against Everton
Since September 2025, Manchester United have been busy installing safe standing rails in the second tier of the Stretford End, behind the west goal at Old Trafford.
The new section has room for 6,000 supporters and is one of the biggest safe standing areas in the Premier League. It takes the club's overall safe standing capacity to 13,577, and builds on the existing safe standing rails, which can be found in all four of the stadium's quadrants.
After receiving a Sports Grounds Safety certification this week, the club have confirmed that the area will officially be open for the match against Everton on Monday, 24 November.
🏟️ One of the largest safe standing areas in the PL will officially open at Old Trafford on Monday night, with 6️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ additional seats installed in the second tier of the Stretford End!
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) November 20, 2025
That takes the number of rail seats at OT to 13,577 – 18% of the total capacity 🤩#MUFC pic.twitter.com/DyfNgJAazk
Looking to boost the Old Trafford atmosphere
This season, there has been a concerted effort among Manchester United fans to improve the general atmosphere at Old Trafford.
Most of the efforts have been the handiwork of TRA, a modern Manchester United supporter's group. Their efforts in person and on social media have seen the lower tier of the Stretford End become more vibrant this season, with giant flags making this part of the stadium look more like a European football stadium at times.
Having safe standing in the second tier of the Streford End should help to boost the atmosphere further. Traditionally, this tier has been the noisiest at the stadium since it was added in 2000, and having more fans being encouraged to stand here can only be a good thing.
FGG says: A tick for INEOS
INEOS have been far from perfect since taking over football operations at Manchester United in February 2024, and they have upset match-going Man Utd fans on several occasions, not least when they raised ticket prices at Old Trafford.
However, the addition of safe standing in the second tier of the Stretford End is a step in the right direction and an indication that they are prepared to listen to supporters on certain occasions.