Here's a little bit I came up with for those of you coming to Manchester.
Manchester United FC -Travel GuideManchester is the main city in the region of Greater Manchester, the third largest area in the UK. The town was first settled by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago and today is one of the brighest cities in Europe. It's a very friendly, but very busy, place and we have two main football teams. There's Manchester City, but nobody really likes them! Then of course, there's Manchester United.
With around 330 millions fans worldwide, United are often known as the world's biggest team although whether that's true or not is open to debate. United are in a record setting 19th straight season in the Champions League, and have won the trophy now three times (in 1968, 1999 and 2008). Domestically, United are the most successful team with 19 league titles and 11 FA Cups. Our coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, won his 100th Champions League game last night vs Galatasaray AS - no manager has ever won more.
Old Trafford, our home since February 1910, is the largest club stadium in Britain with an all-seater 75,957 capacity. According to UEFA rules we have to give at least 3,800 tickets to visiting teams if they require them. Ajax and Bilbao last year recieved a massive 6,000 tickets at their request. Tickets will usually be priced at €44 on the East side of the away section and €68 on the South side, although prices may vary.
Things to do in Manchester:*Old Trafford Museum & Tour - The stadium has a large museum showcasing the history of the club, and a tour around Old Trafford showing everything behind the scenes at the ground. From almost going out of business, to the Munich Air Disaster to beating Benfica at Wembley, to the treble dream of 1999, all aspects of our history are covered in the museum. These are not open on the day of the match itself, but if you're around the day before or after check it out.
*National Football Museum - You can check out the history of English football at the new museum in the Urbis building to the north of the town centre. Take the Metrolink (tram) to Victoria and follow signs for Urbis. For more information visit
www.nationalfootballmuseum.com*Ship Canal Cruises - If you're looking for a way to pass the time check out the boats that tour the Mancunian waterways. Our city is very canal-filled, not to a ridiculous extent like Amsterdam but you will see lots of rivers and canals and water features around the place. Check out
http://www.visitmanchester.com/articles/top-5s/top-5-waterways/ to see the top five recommended trips
*Arndale Centre - In a shopping mood? Leave plenty of room in your luggage for taking things back because Manchester is a big shopping city with hundreds of stores from cheap stuff to top end designer fashions and a lot of it can be found in and around the "Arndale", our own shopping mall right in the middle of town! There's a food court there too with loads of fast food restaurants.
*Printworks - This place is an old 19th century print works that has been turned into an entertainment complex full of places to eat, drink and party. There's a Nando's and a Hard Rock Cafe amongst others for food, a few bars which serve cocktails etc (one called Norweigan Blue which is a good one) and even an Odeon Cinema! In the streets around outside you'll find a couple of nightclubs open late, too.
*Canal Street - Predominantly known as the centre of the gay and lesbian community in Manchester, but it's a good night out for everybody else too! Very friendly atmosphere around the place, lots of late night clubs if you're in town all night after the game.
Pubs/Bars in town centre which will serve visiting fans:*The Piccadilly - Right outside Picadilly Station on the approach road
*Circus Tavern - A small, cosy place on Portland Street near the Brittania Hotel. Not much room inside but it's a nice little old English pub
*Wetherspoons (Picadilly Gardens) - An enormous pub with a hundred or so tables selling bar food all day, welcomes both home and away fans and sells drinks at cheap prices
*Bar Rogue - Trendy style bar on Portland Street near the Coach Station, offers very cheap drinks early in the evening before fans head to the stadium
There's hundreds of bars in town that will welcome you in, it's only the pubs immediately around the stadium that won't allow away supporters in.
Places to eat:*Bem Brasil - Brazilian buffet, very interesting eating experience! Well worth checking out
*Buffet City - Small Chinese all you can eat buffet on the corner of Picadilly station approach (London Road). Cheap, and lots of food!
*Red Hot World Buffet - Usually have to book this place but if you're around for a couple of days its worth checking out. All kinds of food from around the world, and as much of it as you can stuff yourself with!
*Chinatown - Lots and lots of Chinese, Korean and Japanese restaurants in the Oriental corner of town. Interesting place to walk through and get food at any time, but especially when it's all lit up at night.
There's lots of others too of course!
Getting to Old Trafford from town, and back:There are a number of ways to get to the stadium from Manchester City Centre. It's about 15 minutes from town to the stadium in matchday traffic whichever route you choose to take.
*Train - Catch a train from Manchester Oxford Road station to Old Trafford. The train stop is outside the South Stand of the stadium, right near the away supporters section.
*Bus - Catch the 255, 256 or 263 bus routes from Picadilly Gardens and ask the driver for Manchester United. They stop on the corner of Chester Road and Warwick Road, about 100 metres walk from the front of the stadium. A day saver ticket for £3.80 return will get you there and back, and anywhere else you want to go all day by bus.
*Tram - The eaisest way to get there. Catch a tram with ALTRINCHAM on the front from Picadilly, Picadilly Gardens, Mosley Street, St Peters Square or Deansgate Castlefield in town and jump off at Old Trafford. Plenty of United fans on there will help you find the way if you get lost anyway.
*Taxi - It's about €13 in a cab from the centre of town to the top of the stadium road (named Sir Matt Busby Way).
And lastly, the football: *Players to watch - summer signings Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa are making a big impact at United, look for them to play a major role in the game assuming both start. The midfield pairing of Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick remains very strong in Europe, and new left back Alexander Buttner could start in place of Patrice Evra. Goalkeeper David De Gea is also a force to be reckoned with on his day, but he can make mistakes!
*Score prediction - United 2-1 Braga. Javier Hernández to come on and get a late winner. Sorry!