Manchester United's owners have ordered that the south stand of Old Trafford be moved forty metres to accommodate a single executive chair, the club confirmed on Thursday. Work crews began dismantling the seating bowl at dawn, and the stand is expected to be rebuilt on rollers by the end of the season.
The decision follows reports that the Glazer family is unhappy with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's continued presence in the building. A club spokesperson said the family had asked that Sir Jim be seated at a distance from the boardroom that would, in their words, "allow him to reflect on the size of his stake." Engineers measured the gap and concluded that only the south stand could be shifted without disturbing the Stretford End.
Around four thousand fans were asked to watch the relocation from the car park, where a temporary media centre has been erected. Stewards carried out the removal of the seats by hand, one row at a time, and the club's head groundsman has been instructed to replant the pitch's borders to match the new position.
Michael Carrick, who remains in charge of the first team, said he had been consulted on the matter. "I was asked whether the training ground would need to move to the new stand," he said. "I said the players would prefer to stay where they are, and I have been told that this is not a request."
Work is due to finish before the trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Chelsea have offered to lend the club a crane.