Manchester United managing director Richard Arnold said he was proud yesterday that he will soon be welcoming more disabled fans to Old Trafford, with the planned structural changes seeing the overall capacity reduced to between 72,500 and 73,000.

Over 300 new positions for disabled supporters are to be built by August in line with the Accessible Stadia guide, following consultation with the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association.

As the changes are being phased in, the design will incorporate reversible platforms and from next season 100 of the 300 new positions created will be used for Premier League and some cup games.

However, the plans mean 2,600 season ticket holders will need relocating as the current East Stand accessible platform is to be extended across and into the Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton Stands.

United group managing director Arnold confirmed Old Trafford’s overall capacity will be reduced from 75,643 to between “72,500 and 73,000” as a result of changes he is proud to help implement.

“We’re really pleased to be able to announce the provision of the facilities in time for the start of next season,” Arnold said.

“To have the compliant number of spaces available is a great achievement and something we not only believe was the right thing to do but are proud to be able to be provide to the disabled community.”

Asked about the financial hit of the changes, the United managing director said: “Money hasn’t been a factor in looking at this issue. It is something we felt was the right thing to do.

“We wanted to make sure we were compliant for the start of next season and we wanted to make sure that we did this in a way that was sensitive to the existing fans in those seats.

“I think what you’ll see is that it underlines that commitment we’ve made to the disabled community over the last 25 years.”

We need your support to keep running. If you like what you read please donate by clicking here