ManU officials are "looking at ways to expand" the capacity of Old Trafford to 88,000, according to Mike Keegan of the London DAILY MAIL. The proposed increase of more than 12,000 seats from the present capacity of 75,643 would be achieved by "extending the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand," formerly known as the South Stand. Old Trafford is "already the largest club stadium" in Britain, but this would "almost take it onto a par" with Wembley Stadium, which holds 90,000 spectators. It would also see Old Trafford's capacity "overtake the San Siro, Bernabeu, Stade de France and Westfalenstadion on the continent." ManU is "giving strong consideration" to the long-term expansion plans because a new section for disabled fans -- expected to be completed by '20 -- would "lead to a reduction in capacity to around 73,300." The club would then "look at adding quadrants in the two corners" of the stand to raise the capacity to 88,000, meaning the ground would be behind only Barcelona's Camp Nou (99,354) and Wembley in Europe (DAILY MAIL, 10/3).
