Catching a match at Manchester United, Old Trafford has always been our bucket list. Moreover, we are in France. So flying from Paris to Manchester is definitely cheaper than flying from Singapore.
So, where to watch Manchester United games? Of course is at Old Trafford in Manchester!
We don't wish to miss the train like what happened previously when going to London.
Paris to Manchester Day 1
Paris to Manchester by Air France
We booked the flight from Air France as we are more familiar with it and the price difference is not that great.
And you can top up €10 for seat selection.
Transport: Arrival to Manchester Airport
Paris to Manchester by Airfrance
Paris to Manchester
We arrived at Manchester Airport, and while exiting the arrival hall, we saw that you need to pay to use the luggage trolley. £2.
Seriously? Although nowadays most luggage has wheels on them but paying for luggage trolley is unheard of so far.
I'm not sure if this is the case for London too.
But anyway, I don't need the luggage trolley.
Getting Around: Manchester Airport to Trafford Bar Tram Station
Manchester Airport to Old Trafford
Manchester Airport to Old Trafford
I'm not sure how the taxi fare is like in Manchester, but I was advised that getting an Uber ride to the apartment will cost £18-£20 and 20mins away.
Though we can also take a tram to Trafford Bar Tram station, a 45 mins journey.
Stay: Airbnb Near Old Trafford Stadium
Accommodation Review
Location
Check In/Out
Communication
Value
Airbnb near Old Trafford Stadium
We booked the Airbnb as this is one of the valued Airbnb near Old Trafford. With just 20mins walking distance and it is 5 mins walk to Old Trafford bar Tram stop.
A supermarket within 5mins walk as well.
The host was accommodating, she allowed us to check in early like 10 am, because our flight is early.
Her kitchen is also fully equipped. Oven, fridge, toaster and kettle too.
We took a 2 hours nap as our game will be later in the evening.
Get Discount Off Your
1st Airbnb Stay
Lunch: Harry Ramsden's - Fish and Chip
Review of Harry Ramsdens
Time
15:00 Hrs
Arrival
Service
Food
Value
The World Famous Fish and Chips. Haha..
After googling for nearby restaurants, we finally our selection with Harry Ramsden's. It is on the way to Old Trafford stadium, 20mins stroll away.
I guess we were pretty early, as we do not have to wait for our seats.
We ordered
Service: Service is good. Cheerful staffs. I love UK!
Food: On their signboard they put, World Famous Fish and Chips. Lucky it is not world tastiest fish and chips.The food is quite average only. Bland fish and chip, an abundance of French fries. Maybe the onion ring is the best liao. But still not a very happy meal.
Value: Ermm, I won't come back again for this. Maybe will try out some other food instead lor.
Booking Manchester United Tickets
We booked our tickets in August, and managed to get seats for the game in December. Can you imagine how popular they are?
On days when they release the tickets for sales, their website will have queueing system.
See: Old Trafford - Manchester United Megastore
Review of Manchester United Megastore
Time
16:15 Hrs
Arrival
Duration
1 - 2 Hours
Recommended
Crowd
Many People
Worthy
Paris to Manchester
Manchester United Megastore
And finally we are here sia! On match days, the whole vicinity is vibrant and lively. It is like Friday night you go party. Even the bar next to our apartment is packed with Manchester United fans.
And just imagine 70,000+ of fans awaiting gathering in this stadium. The mega store at Old Trafford stadium is even crazier. So many people in the store, checking out the Merchandise.
For us, we have been eyeing the Manchester United 2017/2018 black jerseys for the longest time. So we fast hand fast leg, make our purchase and don our new jersey !
Crowd: The crowd is impressive, a lot of people but not rowdy at all.
Security: security is strict before entering the Manchester United Megastore. Before entering the compound, our bags are being checked. And before entering the megastore we are being checked again.
Wait to Queue: No doubt the megastore is crowded, but the waiting times in the queue is fast. There is like at least 20 cashier counters opened during this time.
Best of all, if you have a Manchester United member, you have 10% discount on your merchandise.
Take Note
We found out that you can actually purchase their merchandise online and it is much cheaper! Check out their clearance section!
Manchester United Old Trafford Stadium
Review of Manchester United Old Trafford Stadium
Time
16:45 Hrs
Arrival
Duration
2-3 Hours
Recommended
Crowd
Many People
Worthy
Finally! We are en route to complete one of our bucket lists. Before entering the stadium, there is another round of security check and also to validate or verify your match day tickets. We are provided with a member card when we purchase the tickets. Hence it is a scan and go process.
Because we chose the 2nd last tier of the tickets, we are seated at the 3rd platform (the highest platform of the stadium). We have to climb up like 8-9 levels of stairs to get to our seats.
Finding our seats is easier than our experience at Camp Nou stadium. The seat and row numbers were clearly displayed.
Comfort: The seats are those plastics kind of seats, but they are very narrow. Probably that is why they can fit in 70,000+ of fans in the stadium. You just make the seats more cramped. And the Ang Moh are so big size! I wonder how they can fit into the seats comfortably?
Atmosphere: Great atmosphere here with a lot of fans chanting and cheering non stop. It is probably we understand English better than Spanish, thus we are able to feel their emotions when watching the game.
Manchester United Vs Southampton
Sadly, this is a disappointing match. It is 30th December, and I guess the players already holiday mood. Keep walking and slowly pass the ball around not no urgency.
So you guessed right, the score is 0-0. Amazing atmosphere, but a disappointing game.
After-Game
As always, the first time fans will stay back to take a picture of the stadium. Selfies, and whatever camwhore poses. We stayed there until the staffs call Tong-Long and invite us to leave because they need to pang kang soon already.
Imagine a crowd of 70,000+ people leaving the stadium at 1 go. The tram station, bus stops and taxi stands are so crowded. Even the traffic around the area is also at a standstill.
We are the blessed ones, our apartment is like 20-25 mins stroll away.
While on our way back, we felt hungry and da bao the KFC which is beside the Fish and Chip restaurant. The KFC can anytime surpass the taste of the fish and chip.
Paris to Manchester - Day 2
Today, we have booked our stadium tour at Old Trafford after researching for things to do in Manchester. Seems like there is nothing much to do on a New Year's Eve.
Brunch: KFC
We had a quick bite at KFC before heading to the Old Trafford stadium for our tour.
You can explore the museum before joining the tour at your time slot. For us, as usual, we are late. So we did not explore the museums before the tour.
See: Manchester United Stadium Tour
Review of Manchester United Stadium Tour
Time
12:45 Hrs
Arrival
Duration
2 Hours
Recommended
Value
Review of Manchester United Stadium Tour
Review of Manchester United Stadium Tour
Review of Manchester United Stadium Tour
Manchester United Dressing Room
Review of Manchester United Stadium Tour
Duration: 70 mins tour of Manchester United Old Trafford Stadium, and you probably need 30 - 60 mins exploring their museum.
There will be a guide, explaining on the whole structure, layout of the stadium during the stadium tour. Very humorous way, but detailed as well.
We are shown the dressing room as well, and of course, many photos were taken.
I guess the glory of Manchester United were heightened during the days of Sir Alex Ferguson. Somehow, I do not have a favourite player in Manchester United. It used to be Zlatan, but his jersey is not inside the dressing room leh.
Value: As we are Manchester United Club members, we get to enjoy a 50% of our stadium tour. It is definitely worth it! And this is one of Europe largest stadium. We have been to the one in Germany, Barcelona and now we are truly blessed to be at Old Trafford.
Definitely, recommend anyone to go on the tour if they are unable to get a match day ticket. No fish, prawn also good right?
A Walk in Manchester City Center
We come to Manchester, of course, have to explore their orchard road right?
From our apartment, we can take the tram, and reach the city centre in 10 mins. Very convenient tram!
See: Albert Square
Review of Albert Square
Time
12:45 Hrs
Arrival
Duration
2 Hours
Recommended
Ratings
This is the Heart of Manchester in all its Gothic style. The town hall towers over the square in its architecture splendour and square provides a huge space for many a seasonal events, including the famous Manchester Christmas Markets.
We had thought that Albert square will be a happening place, but when we were there, the area seems to be setting up barricades for a new year countdown event I suppose.
Nonetheless, the Manchester Town Hall still looks magnificent.
See: The John Rylands Library
Review of The John Rylands Library
Time
12:45 Hrs
Arrival
Duration
2 Hours
Recommended
Ratings
The John Rylands Library is a late-Victorian neo-Gothic building on Deansgate in Manchester, England. The library, which opened to the public in 1900, was founded by Enriqueta Augustina Rylands in memory of her husband, John Rylands.
Ratings: Very gothic library! But a pity that they are not open on New Year's Eve. It certainly looks very nostalgic from the outside. An ancient building among the modern world.
Dinner: Happy Seasons Restaurant
Review of Happy Seasons Restaurant
Time
20:00 Hrs
Arrival
Service
Food
Ratings
Review of Happy Seasons Restaurant in Manchester
Chinatown Manchester
After 2 days of western food, we are craving for some hot piping Chinese food. So, Happy seasons comes up as one of the famous chinese food in Manchester.
Food: Delicious food! I ordered a plate of Roasted Duck, Roasted Meat and Char Siew rice (We call it the 三拼,3 combinations), and the duck is juicy and tender. It is as good as the Roasted duck we ate at London! We also ordered their dim sum - not as exciting though.
Value: Price is pretty affordable, £8 for a plate for 3 combination meat with rice. Of course, with that price, you can get a lot more portion when eating in Singapore.
That sums up our journey from Paris to Manchester for 2 days. The next day, we took a tram from Old Trafford Bar to the airport.
Easy and convenient.
Do Take Note
Manchester Airport is very strict on their security, hence the time taken is longer. So it will be good for you to arrive earlier.
What a fantastic blog post! When reading the title (and don’t ask me why!), I initially thought you drove up there and back to Paris in two days just to attend a match. I was like “Wow that’s a huge fan!” 😉
Of course, it makes a lot more sense to fly there and take it easy. It’s awesome that you even had time to see the town centre!
I love the atmosphere in English stadium when I watch soccer games on TV (the Australian crowd is so boring compared to the English fans, believe me…). So it can only be even better when you’re in the stadium with the fans. Your visit to the stadium when it’s empty looks so impressive. I’d love to do that. Too bad I’m not in Europe anymore 😉
I ever thought of driving from Paris to Manchester, but the time taken is far too much. Plus a different side of driving will be more challenging. So I guess flying will be the best option. Its pretty fast and convenient too.
I have always wanted to visit Manchester just to witness a English Premier league Game! Thanks for all the useful info..hope I end up there sometime soon!
I must admit, I’m not a huge soccer fan, but I’m getting a little more into it. I can imagine the excitement in the air for the Manchester vs. Southampton was palpable. Bummer that they were already set for the holiday and didn’t really show the effort that you were hoping for. But I’m glad you can now cross this off of your bucket list!
What a great experience! Thanks for the info.