Man Utd make history with major change to Old Trafford in ‘fantastic step forward’

MANCHESTER UNITED have made history after becoming the first Premier League club to offer male sanitary facilities.

The Red Devils will provide designated bins and products such as pads for men at Old Trafford.

It comes after a study found that 50 per cent of those with male bladder weakness attend fewer games due to a lack of facilities and anxiety about leaks.

While one in seven (14 per cent) said they had stopped going to games altogether, according to Prostate Cancer UK.

But United have now set the benchmark after becoming the first top-flight club to commit to Gold BOG STANDARD accreditation – the minimum requirements that charities are asking organisations to implement to support men with incontinence.

Nick Ridgman, head of support services at Prostate Cancer UK, praised the Red Devils for their initiative.

He said: “Manchester United‘s commitment to supporting men with incontinence is a fantastic step forward.

“And we hope their action will inspire change across the whole football community, from the top of the Premier League to local non-league games.”

The report was published last week came from Prostate Cancer UK and phs Group.

United, who sit 12th in the Prem after drawing at Ipswich, are leading the charge by providing designated bins and essential products such as pads.

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Former BBC sports presenter Steve Rider, who has battled prostate cancer himself, remarked: “Incontinence can become a real social barrier.

“Imagine going to watch your local football team, you’re halfway through the second half and suddenly you feel the need to get rid of something a bit more substantial than your season ticket.

“The ability to do that hygienically, with security and dignity, is so important.

“And that’s why I’m a strong supporter of the Back in the Game initiative to get clubs up to the BOG STANDARD, to enable men to live a better life.”

The next phase of plans to re-build Old Trafford and redevelop the surrounding area has been launched.

United’s proposed regeneration of Trafford Park could boost the UK economy by up to £7.3billion.

While United are consulting with the local community, they have NOT ruled out building a brand new 100,000-seater stadium away from the Theatre of Dreams.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to build a new ground on the land adjacent to Old Trafford and pics of what the stadium could look like have been released.

The Red Devils distributed a survey to season ticket holders and club members and received more than 50,000 responses.

The club have confirmed that 52 per cent of respondents are in favour of demolishing Old Trafford and building an entirely new stadium.

While 31 per cent would rather redevelop the current ground, and 17 per cent are unsure.

Amorim needs A LOT of time on training pitch to fix Man Utd… unfortunately he won’t get it, writes Charlie Wyett

IN theory at least, the only way is up for Manchester United, writes Charlie Wyett.

We are nearly a third of the way through this Premier League season and it is still staggering to see United lurking in 12th place.

They have managed just four wins with a goal difference of 0. Only Everton, Crystal Palace and Southampton have scored less.

It is certainly not a false position and a point at Ipswich illustrated the massive job that Ruben Amorim faces.

United’s fans sang the name of their new manager throughout the game.

They also gave the players rapturous applause on the final whistle and although this was an improvement on some of the performances this season, the bar has been set pretty low.

The club’s optimistic supporters will see that their team is only six points off the top four.  Ultimately, though, it is difficult to see United even reaching last season’s final position of eighth as they look worse.

United’s patched-up defence will improve – and a three-man formation at the back will help them – but you have to wonder where the goals are going to come from. Marcus Rashford struck after 81 seconds and then went missing for the rest of his 68 minutes on the pitch.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were also introduced in that double change midway inside the second half but added absolutely nothing. What a terrible couple of signings they have proved to be and United’s fans would swap both of them for Ipswich’s Liam Delap.

Amorim did not celebrate the Rashford goal and paced around his technical area throughout looking uneasy.

Each time there was a break in play, he called over players for instructions.

Alejandro Garnacho headed over to the touchline on a couple of occasions while there were also words for Diogo Dalot, Casemiro and Jonny Evans.

Amorim, a manager with infectious enthusiasm, will be hopeful he can get his message across to all of the players in the next few weeks.

But the problem for the Portuguese coach is that this was the first of 10 games in the space of 33 days.

What he really needs are spells on the training ground without a midweek game but he does not have that luxury.