Manchester United have taken steps to protect their stars by installing a protective layer over the brickwork surrounding the pitch at Old Trafford.
The work is being carried out while the surface at United’s famous old stadium is being re-laid for the first time in 14 years this summer ahead of the new season.
There have been concerns over the ditch and perimeter wall that were created when the pitch was elevated in the 1990s, with players at risk of injury if they come off the grass at speed and collide with the advertising hoardings.
Most recently, Benjamin Sesko aggravated a shin injury in the win over Liverpool at the start of last month when a challenge from Ibrahim Konate sent him into the perimeter at Old Trafford.
The work is being carried out while the surface at United’s famous old stadium is being re-laid for the first time in 14 years this summer ahead of the new season
Benjamin Sesko aggravated a shin injury when a challenge sent him into the perimeter at Old Trafford
United promised to look into the problem when it was raised at a fans’ forum in October, stressing that ‘the health and welfare of all players is of paramount importance’, and an upgrade was ordered as part of work on Old Trafford this summer.
The club confirmed on Wednesday that ‘the grass is being extended to provide a consistent surface at pitchside, and a layer of protection is being added to the brickwork at the foot of Old Trafford’s famous slope’.
The old pitch has been ripped up and United have installed new foundations and drainage system. Garlic has also been spread to kill parasites which live beneath the surface and destroy the grass.
Meanwhile, a new surface has been grown from scratch which is made up of 96 per cent natural grass and four per cent artificial fibres which are stitched into the soil.
This is the first time that such extensive work has been carried out on the pitch since 2012, and United expect it will be the last at their current home with plans in place for a new £2billion stadium.
