ManU is looking to make Old Trafford the "third-largest" stadium in Europe by increasing its capacity to 88,000 seats, according to Jack Austin of the London INDEPENDENT. The stadium, currently the ninth-biggest in Europe, has a capacity of 75,000 at the moment, but "new technology" means proposed plans to add another 7,500 seats in the Sir Bobby Charlton stand -- the majority of the increase -- "will now be cheaper than they originally would have been." ManU wants to add two quadrants to the stand and "would be able to do so without reducing the current capacity of the stadium while the work goes on." The proposed 88,000 capacity would make it the second-largest club stadium in Europe, with only Barcelona’s 99,354-capacity Camp Nou ahead of it. It would still be 2,000 seats short of Wembley’s 90,000 (INDEPENDENT, 1/25). In London, Mike Keegan reported a safe-standing area "may also feature in the development" and though ManU fans are in favor, "this would require a change in legislation." ManU Supporters' Trust has demanded the "biggest club stadium in Europe" and club Managing Dir Richard Arnold said that the club is "acutely aware" of the clamor to increase. Any development "would be likely to include hospitality suites," with ManU currently using Lancashire County Cricket Club facilities for corporate packages (DAILY MAIL, 1/24).
