Fans ready for second Old Trafford sleepout

But when freezing cold temperatures, lying on hard ground for the night and only a sleeping bag for warmth are on offer, the reality is quite different.

Those conditions sum up a fundraising challenge – specifically, our second Old Trafford sleepout taking place this Friday (3 November), when more than 100 fans will bed down to help raise vital funds and awareness of young people facing hardship in Greater Manchester this winter.

Manchester United Foundation and youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint, are the beneficiaries, with more than £30,000 being raised for the two charities from the inaugural event in December last year.

Rewind to the aftermath of that first-ever sleepout at Old Trafford nearly 12 months ago, and there were merited feelings of pride among our participants, including one avid Red, Simon Keen, who became a part of history.

“It’s strange to look forward to sleeping out in the cold, but it was so good last year with everyone coming together and that camaraderie,” said Simon.

“I’d never done anything like it before and when I mentioned it to friends and family, no-one could believe it.

“It was a such a brilliant, unique event and it pushed me to the limit, but I was still able to give back to an amazing cause and be a part of the United experience as well. I was almost waiting it for to come around again this year.”

The 2022 sleepout would have been a night of realisation, for many of those involved, that access to essentials such as having a place to stay, running water and central heating are not to be taken for granted – as Simon would attest.

It’s a reality brought into even greater focus when considering that our participants will have access to all those amenities as part of the sleepout experience at Old Trafford – and that their challenge, in comparison, is just the discomfort of sleeping rough for one night.

“Lying on the hard ground makes you think of those people going through that experience every single day, who don’t have that choice and all these luxuries,” added Simon.

“As much as it was tough to partake, we were able to prepare by bringing our sleeping bag, hot water bottles, and having use of the indoor toilets.

“Those people sleep on a piece of cardboard not out of choice, but the fact that they have to. It was tough for me, but highlighted the whole epidemic we have in the UK and Manchester of this issue.”

Simon’s efforts, along with those of other fans, as well as club and Foundation staff, will go such a long way to helping young people who need it most this winter, through the Foundation’s community and education programmes, and Centrepoint’s preventative and outreach work with vulnerable young people.

He has raised just shy of an incredible £4,000 for the cause so far, helped by other fundraising activities this year, including a charity football match as a precursor to this Friday’s main event.

It’s a cause Simon now holds closely to his own heart, understanding how his contribution can help others.

“It’s opened my eyes to so much,” he continued.

“I work in central Manchester and you see these problems on a daily basis, it’s so sad. Now, I’m able to see not only the people who are suffering, but also those who are helping to improve the situation.”

Last year’s sleepout took place inside the Munich Tunnel, but this year’s challenge brings the additional incentive of fans being able to sleep on the terraces in M16, something Simon knows he will remember for years to come.

“There’s a much wider experience with Manchester United of giving back to the community through the amazing work the Foundation does, but we’ve all got to do our bit, too. When the fanbase all comes together, we can do amazing things.

“Now, when I walk down the Munich Tunnel on matchday, I always point out to other people where I slept last year. I look forward to deciding where I’m going to sleep this year.”

Find out more about the sleepout and how to donate here.