The perfect weekend away for football fans who love the red half of Manchester is simple. You head to the city, make sure you have great tickets, and then you go through our list. Let's take a look at everything you need to see within unforgettable 48 hours making memories that will last a lifetime!
Walking the city
The canal is the lifeblood of Manchester and runs right past Old Trafford. While you might not want to spend several hours walking from the city centre all the way out to Trafford Park, a few minutes by the water will allow you to really get to know the city. Everyone makes their way to the ground in their own way, and trying out a few different options is a great way to approach things.
If you're part of a big travelling group of fans, a coach or train is the obvious way to do it. If you have VIP hospitality tickets that include stadium parking, booking a driver for the day will allow you to sit back and relax so that you can cruise through the small army of fans that fill the roads. And if you want the authentic local experience, you can't go wrong with one of the trams. Just be prepared to be packed in like sardines as the chants grow in volume as you approach Old Trafford.
Exploring the club's museum
If you want to see every trophy the Red Devils have lifted over the years, the official museum in Old Trafford is the place to go. While it may not be open on most match days, going the day before is the best way to really immerse yourself into the history of the club. You can see the Champions League trophy, the 13 Premier League titles, and the iconic FA Cup to name just a few. Go a little further and you'll see shirts from the 1909 cup final, autographs, unique photos, and famous balls.
Taking a stadium tour
The press may be going wild for stories about the decline of Old Trafford, but if you're a real football fan, it's the only place you want to be on a Saturday afternoon. The incredible thing about making a weekend of it is that a day before the match you could combine your visit to the museum with a tour into the bowels of Old Trafford. Stand on the sidelines, walk into the dressing room, and even take your seat in the dugout. You will get a whole new perspective of the Theatre of Dreams as you take it in just like players do every Saturday afternoon.
Visiting the pubs with the locals
The Trafford, The Bishop Blaize, and The Tollgate are three iconic names that have to be visited at least once during the course of your weekend. They allow you to drink with the locals, learn the chants, and discuss those cult heroes that you don't hear all that much about on TV. If you want to really get to know the club, you can share a pint with loyal fans who have had their season tickets for decades. Chat to someone who has held their ticket for 25 years or more and they'll likely show you a picture of their name on their seat. This is one of those lovely little touches that the club is famous for and it's what makes the stands real communities in their own right.
Don't forget to pop into Hotel Football
If you're someone who has a penchant for the finer things in life, Hotel Football is the place to go. United icons Giggs and Neville have transformed an unused patch of land directly across the road from the stadium into the most iconic football-themed hotel in the world. Have a fine-dining meal, a drink, and then take to the roof and watch the rest of the fans filter up Matt Busby Way as they head to the stands. There's even a rooftop football pitch for those of you who want to be able to play a game in the shadow of Old Trafford!
One more thing…
Walk to the ground on matchday and you'll see all the independent sellers laying out their stalls. Scarfs, pin badges, programs, and fan magazines line the streets. You'll see the banners and flags hanging from many homes along the way. If you want to get a real connection with the club that you can't get simply from browsing the official Man Utd Megastore, this is the way to shop for a couple of souvenirs. Real fans will tell you that adding a new pin badge to a cap or scarf every time you watch a home game is the only way to show you're a hardcore supporter. Just an idea if you want to stand out on the terraces for all the right reasons!
Final thoughts
Getting into the spirit of things is all about living in the moment. Putting your phone away so you're not scrolling on Facebook, playing online casino games, or checking your Whatsapp notifications is the best way to do it. Take a moment to put your phone on silent and you will find out that you get so much more out of your time in Manchester. And because there are no instant replays or big screens inside Old Trafford, you need to make sure that you never miss out on the action!
Now that you know what Manchester has to offer, it's up to you to start planning the weekend of a lifetime. Add in a bit of exclusive merchandise along the way and you'll find that you have the perfect souvenir that will stay by your side for many years.