Old Trafford gets first new pitch in 14 years and perimeter padding after Sesko injury scare

Manchester United unveiled two significant stadium upgrades at Old Trafford on Sunday as they opened their Premier League home campaign with a 5-2 victory over newly-promoted Ipswich Town — their first home fixture in more than three months.

The most substantial change was the complete relaying of the Old Trafford pitch, the first time the turf has been replaced in 14 years. Work began shortly after United’s final home game of the 2024/25 season against Nottingham Forest, when the surface was stripped back to its foundations. Led by award-winning groundsman Tony Sinclair and his team, the project was designed to improve player welfare and water drainage following concerns that had built over recent seasons. To ensure the pitch was ready in time, United opted against hosting any pre-season friendlies at Old Trafford this summer, instead playing all six warm-up fixtures across Europe.

The second change addressed a structural hazard that had lingered since a 1990s elevation raised the playing surface roughly three feet above the surrounding area, leaving a drop-off, ditch, and masonry wall at the perimeter. The issue was brought into sharp focus when Benjamin Sesko aggravated a shin injury after colliding with that wall during a match against Liverpool. United have since covered the perimeter with protective padding to reduce the risk to players.

On the pitch, the afternoon belonged to Bruno Fernandes. United were forced to come from behind after Leif Davis gave Ipswich a surprise lead, but Fernandes equalised just before half-time. A Jacob Greaves own-goal put the hosts ahead early in the second half, and Fernandes went on to complete a hat-trick as United pulled clear. Bryan Mbeumo added a fifth with a composed lobbed finish before Julio Enciso set up substitute Chuba Akpom to make it 5-2 in the closing stages.

The result gave United their first win of the season and a positive start to a campaign that will also include a return to the Champions League.