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Magical and Moving: The 2024 Old Trafford Sleep Out

Allow me to let you into a little secret: Old Trafford can be completely magical when it's full, but it's even more spellbinding empty.

I don't quite know why that is. But for me, at least, it's true.

Don't get confused: I'm not saying I feel more joy sitting on a lone seat in the stands than I do when United score a last-minute winner, or lift the Premier League title. Only that a bare Old Trafford teases something more unique, more emotional out of me.

Normally, those moments come when, as a staff member, I walk around the stadium on a weekday and allow myself five minutes or so to take in the peaceful majesty of this sacred place.