Heading 1: England to Play at Old Trafford for the First Time in 16 Years
For the first time in 16 years, England will play an international match at Old Trafford tonight as they take on North Macedonia. The Three Lions are looking to extend their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying but will do so away from Wembley. The game is live on talkSPORT and will be the Three Lions’ final match of the 2022/23 campaign.
Heading 2: Old Trafford to Host England Match
Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, will host the England match against North Macedonia. This is set to be the 18th time Old Trafford has hosted England, meaning they have only ever played more games at Wembley. The first match took place in 1926 and ended in a 1-0 defeat to Scotland.
Heading 3: The Most Famous England Fixture at Old Trafford
The most famous England fixture at Old Trafford occurred in 2001 when David Beckham’s last-minute free-kick sealed a 2-2 draw against Greece that ensured qualification for the 2002 World Cup. Beckham’s free-kick will forever be etched into Old Trafford’s history. The last match was a friendly in 2007 that saw Spain emerge victorious with a 1-0 win.
Heading 4: Why Are England Playing at Old Trafford Not Wembley?
The reason for the switch from Wembley to Old Trafford is bizarre. Harry Styles is currently embarking on a huge UK tour and has just played four nights at Wembley. Despite the last one being two days ago, the pitch is still covered, and the stadium is configured for a concert, not a football match. This was the sixth venue of Styles’ UK tour, and the national team has been forced to uproot to accommodate the former One Direction star.
Heading 5: The Change in Venue Gives New Fans the Chance to Watch England
The change in venue should give plenty of new fans the chance to watch Gareth Southgate’s men. It may be a strange situation, but it’s good to see England play in another stadium, and hopefully, the Three Lions can deliver a top performance in front of the Manchurian crowd.
Heading 6: Conclusion
In conclusion, England will play an international match at Old Trafford for the first time in 16 years. The reason for the switch from Wembley to Old Trafford is bizarre, but it gives new fans the chance to watch Gareth Southgate’s men. Old Trafford has hosted England 18 times, with the most famous fixture being David Beckham’s last-minute free-kick that sealed a 2-2 draw against Greece in 2001. Let’s hope the Three Lions can deliver a top performance in front of the Manchurian crowd.