Manchester United have begun installing 1,500 rail seats at Old Trafford ahead of a trial for the upcoming season.
The club received approval from Trafford Council to install the seats prior to last season, but the pandemic prevents fans attending games and the plans were shelved.
However work is now underway to install the rail, or barrier seats, in the old J Stand section of Old Trafford, located in the lower north-east section of the stadium.
The section will include seats but they will have a safety rail behind them and are designed to allow for standing during goal celebrations and at key moments.
United have stressed the move is about addressing the issue of persistent standing, rather than promoting safe standing.
In the fans' forum meeting in April United stated their intention to have the rail seats installed this summer.
Collette Roche, United's chief operating officer, said: "We remain committed to installing barrier seating in the north-east quadrant and, while work has been on hold due to the pandemic, we plan to commence installation in the summer.
"We will be working with Trafford Council to discuss and finalise the specific conditions and hope to have the barrier seating section operational once we are back to full capacity."
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Upon announcing the plans United were adamant that the move would increase safety.
Managing director Richard Arnold admits that should the trial prove to be a success they would look to implement it elsewhere in the stadium.
He said: “Our belief is that the introduction of barrier seats will enhance spectator safety in areas of the stadium where – as with other clubs – we have seen examples of persistent standing.
"It also allows us to future-proof the stadium in the event of any changes to the current all-seater stadium policy.
"If the trial is successful, we may consider further implementation of barrier seating in other parts of the stadium.
“We will now move on to develop the installation, compliance and licensing plan for the trial, with a view to having the new seats installed for when we can welcome our supporters back to Old Trafford.”
