Manchester United are to introduce Covid-19 certification spot checks ahead of Saturday's game with Newcastle United, in expectation of it becoming mandatory to enter stadiums from next month.
Fans attending the game who are aged over 18 will be required to show that they are either double-jabbed or have had a negative test within 48 hours of kick-off.
Spot checks will commence on Saturday but at the moment having a negative test or full vaccination status to enter Old Trafford isn't a mandatory requirement, so any fans who do have the correct certification status will still be permitted to enter the ground.
But based on conversations between the government and the Premier League United officials are expecting it to become mandatory in the future, so are encouraging supporters to become accustomed to proving their Covid-19 status from this weekend onwards.
Similar trials are expected to be rolled out across the Premier League in the coming weeks. Vaccine passports will become mandatory for large indoor events this month and it's expected the same could happen for outdoor events from October 1.
A United statement confirmed: "Manchester United are obliged to follow this national government guidance to ensure that all supporters can attend matches safely and to try to avoid further capacity restrictions in future.
"Fans coming to any matches at Old Trafford from 11 September should be ready to have their COVID status checked. Spot checks will commence at the Newcastle United game on 11 September.
"The process will be done through use of the NHS COVID Pass which is available via the NHS App or via other NHS services. The NHS COVID Pass lets individuals share their COVID-19 vaccination and test results in a secure way.
"All adult supporters (18+) should be prepared to present their NHS COVID Pass upon request to confirm they are either fully vaccinated (’doubled jabbed’) or have received a negative COVID-19 PCR or lateral flow test result within 48 hours of kick-off. All children under the age of 18 are exempt."
The club also said that "there will be a small number of exemptions for fans who have a medical reason which means they cannot vaccinate or test. Those fans will be required to self-declare their medical exemption directly with club staff."
Capacity crowds have returned to stadiums this season, with Old Trafford full for the season opener against Leeds in August. This weekend's fixture with Newcastle is the second home game of the season and is expected to see Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the club.
