Manchester United say they can 'safely' host 23,500 fans at Old Trafford

Edinson Cavani during a first team training session ahead of the Champions League match against RB Leipzig. Getty

Edinson Cavani on the ball. Getty

Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial, Facundo Pellistri and Edinson Cavani. Getty

Bruno Fernandes is enjoying the training session. Getty

Marcus Rashford in action. Getty

Bruno Fernandes, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Victor Lindelof. Getty

Donny van de Beek will play a more active role as the season progresses. Getty

Facundo Pellistri, Nemanja Matic, Edinson Cavani and Harry Maguire. Getty

Manchester United are confident of hosting 23,500 fans at Old Trafford while maintaining social distancing to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Spectators have been absent from British football grounds since the Premier League resumed in June after a three-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

United supporters last saw their side at Old Trafford for the 2-0 derby victory over Manchester City in March.

The UK government had hoped to allow limited crowds back into sporting venues from October, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson put those plans on hold last month amid a surge in cases.

United chief operating officer Collette Roche said it was "bemusing" that fans could congregate at other venues - such as bars or restaurants - to watch matches but were not allowed to attend games in stadiums.

"We spent around two months working with the government guidelines to ... make sure we can have around 23,500 people in this stadium safely social distancing," Roche, standing outside Old Trafford ahead of Wednesday's Champions League group game against RB Leipzig, told Sky Sports.

"It's quite bemusing to understand why people can gather in other settings such as on an aeroplane or a restaurant, or even in a cinema to watch football, when we know we've got the plans and the process is ready to deliver a match day here safely."

Roche said the club had “had to redesign what match day looks like” with plans such as staggered arrival times for fans and temperature checks before entry to minimise risks.

“The government gave us guidelines and it's those guidelines that we have followed,” she said. “I'm convinced that would be able to do so safely.”

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward urged the government to allow fans back into stadiums on an earnings call last week, while expressing frustration with inconsistencies in the government's approach.

United have reported an annual net loss of £23.2 million ($30.24 million), with the club also saying they lost £70 million in revenue in the year to the end of June due to coronavirus restrictions.