Manchester United have tried to improve their fortunes at Old Trafford by making the teams swap ends at kick-off in their last three home games. Traditionally, United warm up before home games at the Stretford End, where their most vociferous fans are based, and prefer to shoot towards that end in the second half so they finish games strongly.

Manchester United are today expected to announce plans for a new stadium to replace Old Trafford after co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe defended the club’s penny pinching. A “Wembley of the North” on the site of Old Trafford has been Ratcliffe’s goal since the billionaire purchased just under 30 per cent of Manchester United last year.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is preparing to unveil designs by the architect and Man United fan Sir Norman Foster of a new Old Trafford.