As far as I am aware, the drinking rule is for FA matches, as it comes under the Football Offences Act. Grand Finals don't apply, so you should be able to drink pitchside.

One thing you need to be aware of is Trafford Borough Council's prohibition of on-street drinking.

You are not allowed to have open cans/bottles anywhere in the borough. This means that if you buy cans from the off licences outside the ground, you will not be able to drink them. If you open them, the police can and will take them from you.

If you want to drink cans prior to the match, avoid the area around Sir Matt Busby Way. This area is heavily policed, and you are more likely to be disappointed when you lose four cans of stella that you paid £3 each for!

Have a great day. I'll be watching as a neutral, but wanting Leeds to win!

Subterfuge seems to be in order....

Not allowed to take them to your seat but we didn't have too much of a problem last year as they sell bottles which can easily be hidden under a jacket/ up a sleeve.

Alcohol was banned after fighting at the 07 Grand Final. It's very much a case of us sensible ones being made to suffer for a few idiots!

I was allowed to take coffee up into my seat last year. That's more dangerous, as I could have opened the lid and scolded people with it.

Beers are over rated in the ground anyway.
It's all about those warm cans on street corners nowadays didn't you know.

As for me, I'll be venturing in proper pubs in the city centre, and then I'll happily sit and watch the rugby with a prawn sandwich and a cup of coffee

A typical shabby pie eater trick!