Manchester United first opened rail seats at Old Trafford in 2021 [Getty Images]Simon Stone - Manchester United reporterMon, November 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM UTC·1 min readTonight's game against Everton will mark a significant milestone for Manchester United.
The club has been given clearance by the safety authorities to open another 6,141 safe standing places in the Stretford End.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat will take the number of rail seats at Old Trafford to 13,577, 18% of the total capacity of 74,412.
Meanwhile, Karen Hirst has been appointed as Project Director for the Old Trafford Regeneration.
Previously development director at Salford City Council and Central Salford Regeneration Company, Hirst is a chartered surveyor who has spent 35 years in property and development.
Hirst will be responsible for delivering the strategic vision for Old Trafford Regeneration, including working with United as a new stadium is viewed as a central component of the plans.
Local authority sources say a housing development in Old Trafford has already been allocated a significant share of the £1bn Good Growth Fund and it is anticipated huge public and private sector investment will "accelerate transformational regeneration, creating a world-class, sports-led visitor destination, rich in culture and entertainment".
