Manchester United are installing a protective layer over the brickwork around Old Trafford’s pitch while re-laying the surface for the first time in 14 years, with concerns raised after players were injured by the perimeter ditch and wall.
The moment a forward finds himself sliding off the grass at pace, it’s not the tackle that decides the next few weeks—it’s what sits just beyond the pitch. At Old Trafford, that edge has drawn worry for years, and Manchester United are now moving to change it.
The club has begun work to protect their stars by installing a protective layer over the brickwork surrounding the pitch. The upgrade is being carried out while United re-lay the surface at their famous home for the first time in 14 years this summer, ahead of the new season.
The concern has focused on the ditch and perimeter wall created when the pitch was elevated in the 1990s. Players who come off the grass at speed can end up at risk of injury if they collide with the advertising hoardings. Most recently. Benjamin Sesko aggravated a shin injury in the win over Liverpool at the start of last month. after a challenge from Ibrahim Konate sent him into the perimeter at Old Trafford.
United had promised to look into the issue when it was raised at a fans’ forum in October, stressing that “the health and welfare of all players is of paramount importance”. The club says an upgrade was then ordered as part of wider work at Old Trafford this summer.
On Wednesday, Manchester United confirmed the specifics of what is being done. “The grass is being extended to provide a consistent surface at pitchside, and a layer of protection is being added to the brickwork at the foot of Old Trafford’s famous slope,” the club said.
The pitch itself has not been patched. The old surface has been ripped up, and United have installed new foundations and a drainage system. Garlic has also been spread to kill parasites which live beneath the surface and destroy the grass.
A new surface has been grown from scratch, made up of 96 per cent natural grass with four per cent artificial fibres stitched into the soil. United say this is the first time such extensive work has been carried out on the pitch since 2012.
For the players. it’s a rare kind of pre-season promise: a change designed to reduce the damage when momentum carries you beyond the touchline. For the club, it’s also another step on a longer roadmap. United expect this to be the last major overhaul at their current home. with plans already in place for a new £2billion stadium.
Manchester United Old Trafford pitch re-lay protective layer brickwork protection Benjamin Sesko Ibrahim Konate Liverpool shin injury drainage system natural grass artificial fibres £2billion stadium
So they’re fixing the pitch because players keep getting hurt running into a ditch? Wild
I don’t even understand why that slope/ditch is still there. Like if it’s been an issue for years why wait 14 years to redo the surface? Benjamin Sesko got hurt from a bad challenge but also… that wall setup sounds dangerous.
replying to Derek… the “garlic” part got me lol. That’s not gonna stop injuries though, it’s probably just marketing. If they don’t patch the pitch itself then what exactly did they change besides the advertising boards area?
Man U always talking about health and welfare but they wait forever. Also isn’t this the same place where somebody said the wall was like a mile away? I feel like they’re changing it because of Liverpool but then they mention Sesko too so idk. Anyway good, protect the players, stop letting them crash into brickwork.