The season before last I was at the council house for derby day, knowing that if we won that day and Chelsea did anything other than beat Arsenal the following day, we were Champions for the first time since 2004.
The away end was buzzing, with songs about us being Champions and chants belittling our inadequate neighbours. With the game in full flow, an announcement came over the PA system. Thank you for your support, City fans, today’s attendance is the highest of the season.
Our end mockingly cheered. That day was City’s last home game of the season. The council house is never full unless they’re playing Man United.
It’s not just the council house that we claim is never full, unless their opposition is us, but the San Siro as well. The impressive Italian ground, home to both AC and Inter Milan, has a capacity of 80,018, with some 4,000 seats more than Old Trafford.
Our average attendance last season was 75,691, meaning on average, there were just 521 tickets unused, including the non-fans who’ve purchased corporate seats for the entire season.
Inter’s average attendance last season was 51,211, meaning on average, there are 28,807 empty seats. This season their average attendance is 52,446 , with their largest attendance rising to 76,437. AC Milan have a better following, but their average for the season is still just 59,441.
Three weeks ahead of our game with Inter, the San Siro’s 80,000 seats are sold out. It really is true. The San Siro is never full…unless they’re playing Man United!
Man Utd News 24/7
I’ve got a ticket:)
only there to see united, there to see uniiiited!
It’s not just them i read a few months ago juve were looking to build a 40,000 capacity stadium. Something I’ve noticed is that pundits rarely tell you how much italians love football these days. They’re all armchair fans who subscribe to their clubs tv channel. If united were to win individual tv rights we’d still sell out on match days.
Something inside me tells me that they’ll all be disappointed by the end of the game. Except the United fans, of course. Mourinho, here we come!
GOLD TRAFFORD!!
I’ve a ticket too, will be there with 2 mates and I’m still looking out for other Mancs to have a few drinks ina pub before the game!?
Same everywhere United go, you only have to look at the riverside stadium, ewood park and the reebok stadium to realise what kind of excitement United create where ever they go, them stadiums are always half empty unless United are in town.
There isnt a club more sort after than us, everyone wants to see United whether they love us or hate us!
I reckon the AC half have bought tickets to see Mourinho crash and burn….
Not taking into account the seats which become part of the segregation between fans.
It’s interesting to compare matches involving United with those against other opposition. I remember near the end of the 1997-98 season I went to see Crystal Palace v Derby, in a match which Palace really needed to win to stave off relegation against mid-table opposition. I don’t normally go to Palace, but went with a friend who supported Derby. The atmosphere was flat, the noise levels low, the absence of passion almost complete, despite it being a pretty entertaining game with a lot at stake for Palace. The following week I went back to Palace to see United. Now the place was seething, there was electricity in the air, it was great to see how desperate the palace fans were to see United brought low (tribal memories of 95 perhaps). United won 3-0 with complete ease, although it was not enough ultimately to stop Arsenal winning the League, and Palace were (deservedly) relegated. So in the first game, when it was still possible for their team to avoid relegation the Palace fans remained silent, yet when it was more or less all over for them,in the next match, they suddenly find their voices ( at least until the second goal went in, courtesy of Andy Cole). The difference? United!
Can’t wait for United to beat Maureens lot in his own back yard. Like numerous people have said United create such excitement wherever we go.
Loved the post Giles. Keep em coming
i have 3 tickets. 1 for me and 2 spare just in case.
i do not wish to be crushed….