Old Trafford
Overview
Old Trafford is Manchester United’s home stadium, opened in 1910 and rebuilt after severe Second World War bomb damage before becoming one of English football’s best-known grounds.
Key facts
- City
- Manchester
History
Manchester United moved to Old Trafford in 1910, when the new stadium opened with a capacity of roughly 80,000. Designed by Archibald Leitch, it represented a major step up from the club’s earlier Bank Street ground. During the Second World War the stadium was used as a military depot and was badly damaged by bombing in March 1941, forcing United to play home matches elsewhere while reconstruction took place. Old Trafford reopened after the war and expanded through successive redevelopment phases, including floodlights, roof coverage and later all-seater conversion. It became the physical centre of the Busby and Ferguson eras and hosted major domestic and international fixtures. Footballopedia connects Old Trafford to Manchester United, the Manchester Derby, Premier League, European Cup, George Best, Bobby Charlton, Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.