[nwm_map id=”2″ zoom=”11″ width=”764″]
Your guide in visiting Manchester, England
Where to stay in Manchester?
What to do and see in Manchester?
Watching a Manchester United Football match?
If you are not a football fan, Manchester may not be the first city you think of in planning your next travel destination. However, if you are a football fan, you will definitely have a feeling one way or another towards Manchester because of Manchester United Football Club or Manchester City Football Club. And of course being a Manchester United fan, Manchester is a city that I want to visit mainly because of Old Trafford, Manchester United’s stadium. It is every football fan’s dream of watching their team play in its stadium live.
I was fortunate enough to have a pair of tickets to watch a Manchester United vs. Chelsea match in Old Trafford in the 2012-2013 season. I’ve spent two and a half days in Manchester and gave me some time in exploring the main shopping district in Manchester as well.
WHERE TO STAY IN MANCHESTER
I’ve spent two night at Roomzzz Aparthotel in Manchester City. You can read my TripAdvisor review here. The location of this hotel is good as it is very close to the tram/Metrolink station and walkable distance to Market Street area which is the main shopping district in Manchester. I might stay in Ryan Giggs newly opened Hotel Football next time but it is a bit far from the main city center. The Lowry Hotel seems to be another good choice as well.
WHAT TO DO & SEE IN MANCHESTER
Manchester Market Street and Vicinity
It was just two Metrolink stop away (or a 15 to 20 minutes walk) from my hotel to Market Street which is the main shopping district in Manchester. Market Street itself is a walking street closed off to vehicles and lined with shops and shopping malls on both sides. Manchester Cathedral is just a short walk away from Market Street. I am sure there are a lot more to do in Manchester but the main purpose of my trip is Manchester United.
WATCHING A MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL MATCH
Pilgrimage to Old Trafford
As a fan, every trip to Old Trafford is a special one and it makes it even more special when you live thousands of miles away. It is not my first time visiting Old Trafford or even to watch a match but every time is special for a Manchester United fan. Access to Old Trafford is quite easy on Manchester superb tram system or the Metrolink as they call it. The route map of the Metrolink can be found here.
Roomzzz Aparthotel where I’ve stayed is right beside Chinatown and close to a number of Metrolink station. I’ve walked to St Peter’s Square which is beside the Manchester Central Library. The Green or Yellow line with the direction to Altrincham will take you to Old Trafford Station which is only 4 stations and 10 minutes away.
Once you get out of the station, you will see Old Trafford right in front of you in the distance. You cannot miss it and within 10 minutes walking straight down the road you will be on the famous Sir Matt Busby Way.
Manchester United Megastore / Museum and Tour
I’ve actually went to Old Trafford for two consecutive days when I was in Manchester. The day before Match Day, I’ve explored the surroundings and went to the Museum and Tour. There are so much to do as a Manchester United fan on non match day that I highly recommend every fan to do this. The Manchester United Megashop is way less crowded on non match days.
The Museum and Tour is an absolutely must do for every Manchester United fan. The Museum displayed many memorabilia and trophies over the years. The Tour will take you into the bowels of the stadium. The highlight for me was the press room (with a wax figure of Sir Alex Ferguson, sure it is removed now), the dressing room, the walkway where the team enters the stadium and going out to an empty station itself and having the opportunity to sit in the home dugout where the gaffer and the substitute players sit. It is surreal.
Match Day
I took the same Metrolink route back to Old Trafford on Match Day. It is amazing to be travelling to Old Trafford with all the supporters. All the way walking from Old Trafford station the atmosphere is already building and once on Sir Matt Busby Way, it’s all Manchester United. The stadium was packed with 75,500 in attendance. It is electrifying when we all sing the many Manchester United chants! It was the 2012-2013 where Manchester United has already clinched the title. The timing of my visit was especially special because a few days later Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement as the Manager of Manchester United. Although Manchester United lost of Match, it was actually the second last home game managed by the great Sir Alex Ferguson. It was quite emotional for me hearing the news because I grew up watching Manchester United from the Paul Ince, Dennis Irwin, Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes era to the class of ‘92 and then the more recent Ronaldo period.
