Around Old Trafford the use of public transport is highly recommended for visitors, as the roads can take 3 hours to clear after big events such as a football match! Local travellers can take the Manchester Metrolink, getting off at Old Trafford station. This is located right next to the cricket ground, whilst the football ground is a 10 minute walk up the road. There are services every 6-12 minutes.
For football fan travellers a much more preferable and quick option is rail: a dedicated station is right behind the football stadium's South stand, open only on matchdays: it is called Manchester United FC Halt station. Trains are provided by Northern Rail and there are about 5 or so services before and after the match to the mainline Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road stations. Tickets cost about __2.40 and the journey takes 10 minutes.
Both the Old Trafford football and cricket grounds are very impressive buildings with a few sights, such as the Matt Busby statue, worth a look.
Historically, this was the home of many of the wealth merchants who traded in the city and is an area with strong Jewish links. It was further developed as railways grew with much more housing built in the 1930's. Now you will find a mixed academic cosmopolitan community with a smattering of media stars. The area is worth visiting for the remnants of an English village feel.
Most buses from Oxford Road and the Wilmslow Road that carry on further south will bring you to Didsbury.
Along Wilmslow Road you will find a small independent butcher, cheese merchant, and fishmongers. Heading a little further south past the shops will bring you to pubs clustered around the remnants of a village green, Parsonage Gardens, the lovely Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, and access to the semi-rural Mersey valley. Check out the small tea room in the Fletcher Moss Gardens (only open afternoons at the weekend).
:* <do name="Manchester United Football Club" alt="" address="" directions="A dedicated station is right behind the football stadium's South stand: it is called Manchester United FC Halt station. Trains are provided by Northern Rail and there are about five or so services before and after the match to the mainline Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road stations." phone="" url="http://www.manutd.com" hours="Open only on match days" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Generally, a very high quality of football.</do>
:* <do name="Lancashire Country Cricket Club" alt="" address="" directions="Take the Manchester Metrolink, getting off at Old Trafford station. This is located right next to the cricket ground. There are services every 6-12 minutes." phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.lccc.co.uk" hours="" price=""></do>
The Manchester United Megastore is located in the East stand of the football stadium, from where many kinds of Man Utd merchandise can be bought. Likewise, the cricket ground also contains a small shop for cricket merchandise.
At the football stadium, refreshments are available at half time: crisps, KitKat chunkies, pies, Pepsi, tea and coffee. A meal deal, with tea/coffee, pack of crisps and KitKat, costs __2.80 approx.
Alcohol is not permitted in either the Old Trafford football or cricket grounds, and will be confiscated by stewards. There are, however, numerous bars and cafes in the district for pre- or post-match drinks.