I too think Old Trafford was crap with cramped seating until I went to our Magic Game, at Elland Road on Saturday which was far worse.

Absolutely NO leg room, and I had to sit side on, using two seats, otherwise I would have needed to watch the game standing.

That’s the problem with old stadiums, yeh I get the nostalgia thing I would still go to Wilderspool rather than the HJ but these big events need modern stadiums, I really hope they build a new stadium at Old Trafford

I’m not concerned about hubcap. Just top 2 for final.

Top 2 will be very difficult without Dufty. He is central to our attack.

This sums up how I feel about it, really. I can't stand Old Trafford, and I don't enjoy the vibe of the Grand Final as an occasion, but on the flip side, I would hate to not be there if and when we eventually win one.

Old Trafford is a complete dump, I find the GF atmosphere intimidating and uncomfortable and (in my experience) it seems to be full of smack heads, drunks and people who cannot control their aggression.

A guaranteed 80-0 win against Stains could not get me to go back there....TV for me.

Yes the motivation is FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). The whole GF experience for a tee total middle aged man is grim. But if we are there, I will be too (god willing).

It's true it does have the air of menace about it. I think it's a combination of a bum hole area of Manchester, dark nights, the organised crime parking firms, and the "fans" who have been on the ale all day acting like heros. Then you get the horrendous claustrophobia in the stadium which even the owners are considering demolishing. Then in our case the last 2 times watching us not being able to score for an hour as our hopes are smashed again.

Thinking of taking my 13 year old to OT should we get there, but I agree about the idiots making it a slightly tense atmosphere compared to Wembley. However, I think the atmosphere of a night game is also more electric.

I'm so used to losing at OT, that one more loss would be a mere flesh wound rather than a stab to the heart. And we have to win there at some point. Lots more to do though, before we can start worrying about final appearances.

Exactly this. Like a moth to a flame IF we get there I'd be compelled to go, just imagine attending all those losses and missing out....

I get all the misgivings about the place and the atmosphere and not that you should have to but as a 'veteran' there are ways of minimizing the fuss.

Yeah my tactic last time was in and out on the motorbike - stealth mission. Entered stadium 10 mins before and was out on the final whistle. One advantage of losing is that you can be away sharpish.

Why not a 3pm kick off which should limit the number of pishheads entering the stadium.
Maybe after the match any trouble from drink or drugs could be sorted out in the streets & pubs of Manchistaw by GMPs finest. All right minded fans could then leave safely.

More George Formby for sure.