Despite the fact that their new manager Moyes has never won a trophy in his managerial career (OK some count the “Charity Shield”), Manchester United are still regarded somehow as one of the best teams in Europe. After their defeat against Guardiola’s Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the show must go on. The Red devils will meet Everton next week. It’s David Moyes against his old club!!

Old Trafford, Home of Manchester United in England.

I’ll give a rundown of some bars in and around Manchester that are a decent spot for a pre match drink. It’s easy enough to get Manchester United tickets online these days and flying to Manchester can be done cheap enough with the likes of Ryanair and Easyjet. First thing to do, before stepping into Old Trafford, is to stop for a beer next to the stadium.

Beers with the lads near Old Trafford.

There are a small number of bars and pubs near Old Trafford, but on match days they get extremely busy. Our recommendation is to arrive pretty early to capture the real pre-match atmosphere, which is amazing. Here is our guide for a pre-match beer with local United fans:

3 biggest pubs surrounding the ground: I have seen football matches at many a stadium across the country but these three United pubs have definitely one of the most passionate fan-bases that I have witnessed.

• Sam Platts (Trafford Park Warehouse): it has got the best garden area of the pubs around here, so perhaps in the summer months this would be the pick of the United pubs. This beer garden as got a little bar where you can buy cans of beer and get plastic cups, saving those less fussy from the extreme queue inside On match days they put a big marquee outside and sell cans and bottles – a great way to avoid queuing at the bar. You will get a good atmosphere with plenty of pre-match singing and a three minute walk to the ground. You’ll be asked for your match ticket to prove you are a home fan on match days.
• The Trafford (699 Chester Road): is the first one of the big Manchester United pubs you will come across. It’s got two rooms, one a huge normal pub area, and the other a square room, which looks a lot like a dance floor. This is not a dance floor but a chant floor, where Manchester United fanatics gather before each game to shout and sing the classic United songs. Drinks aren’t cheap, around 3 pounds on match day, but singing with real United fans is worth it.
• The Bishop Blaize  (708 Chester Rd): our personal preference. Great atmosphere, packed with passionate red devils shirts. Here they even have a famous guy who leads the chanting, standing on a table bellowing out the tunes to get everyone started. Great cold beers.

Having a beer in the Trafford in Manchester, England.

Pubs at Castlefield, 30 min walk from Old Trafford:

• The Warf: (6 Slate Wharf, Castlefield ) a beautiful modern purpose-built pub. Two floors of hidden alcoves, galleries and a large outside patio with views over the canal.
• Dukes 92: (18-25 Castle Street, Castlefield) Situated in a stunning position with a huge patio on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal in the heart of the Castlefield urban heritage park, this Mancunian institution is without doubt Manchester’s busiest bar when the sun is out. Popular match day boat trips to Old Trafford are available for most United games.

Northern Ireland flag at Old Trafford, Home of Manchester United in England.

Ready for your beer on the grounds of Old Trafford? Start singing the chant of the evening:

“He’ll shag who he wants! He’ll shag who he waaaaants! Our boy Giggsy, he’ll shag who he wants!”

Lounging in Manchester, England.

This was written by Sebas Dupont who is a football fanatic. He travels around Europe following the Champions League and writes articles for Ticket Bureau.