Is there a decent real ale pub around that will be quiet-ish before the game tonight? We're looking at parking on Trafford Park.

I don't think there are any in Trafford Park, the nearest pub to the ground that sells real ale is the Knott Bar at the bottom of Deansgate underneath Deansgate station about 15 minute walk to Old Trafford, a little futher up past Deansgate Locks there is the City Road pub on the right, if you follow the road to your left you will find the Britains Protection and further up the same road is "the Pev." In Salford at Bexley square there is the New Oxford but you would need a taxi to get you to the ground.

Cheers mate, i'm driving but a couple of lads will want a pint on the way in and we've got a 10 year old with us, so may have to try and find one on the way into Trafford Park (maybe go the weatherspoons at the Ski Slope) where it's a bit quieter and I can drive.

Trafford park is mainly light industry and warehousing, the only two pubs in the area when I worked there were the Trafford Park Hotel and the Village, both in the park of the Park called the Village. However, I think the TPH has now closed down, and I've no idea whether the Village does real Ale.

Lime, Matchstick Man and Quay House on the Quays all do real ale (kept to varying degrees of quality. and will probably be fairly busy), as does the Broadway a little further. Last time I was in Sammy Platts (very close) they did real ale, but that will be rammed, same goes for Bishops Blaize.

What are people's recommendations then?

I'm getting back in the car to drive onto Trafford Park to park up anyway so it doesn't matter if i'm a few miles away.

New Oxford if Driving has about 15 to 20 different ales on, chairs in the square and it is very sunny here.

Sold! Cheers mate.

Well, town and the Quays could be a faff to park up, drink, then move to park elsewhere, so your idea of the wetherspoons at the chill factor is a decent one. Otherwise you could try the pubs of Chorlton (The Bar being the same people behind The Knott that Pev mentioned).

Or as Pev say, there's the NO or Crescent (both VERY GOOD ale places) with parking nearby and will be quiet, easy to get to From the East Lancs, but might be busy between there and Trafford Park.

I thought the Trafford Park Hotel had shut also but a few of my mates are heading down to fifth avenue as it seems there is one open. The Deansgate on Deansgate is a good real ale pub as well.

but very expensive

Castle In The Air near the Chill Factor is a good option. Real ale was £1.10 a pint last time I went in a few months back.

Beech Rd, Chorlton is about 30 mins walk from Old Trafford. The Horse & Jockey usually has some real ales, usually from local brewers but its a while since ive been in there and its a lot more expensive than £1.10!