Manchester United selling pieces of Old Trafford turf after revealing debt of over £1bn

• Manchester United are selling 7cm by 7cm pieces of Old Trafford pitch for £125.

• The cut-out turf was preserved after the pitch was dug up during a 14-year overhaul aimed at improving player welfare and drainage.

• The sale comes as United report debt of over £1bn.

Manchester United are selling small pieces of their Old Trafford pitch for £125, after the club revealed debt over £1bn according to BBC sports. 

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The pieces, which is 7cm by 7cm, were preserved after the pitch was completely dug up and stripped back to its foundation during the summer. The pieces have been placed inside display cubes and packaged in a black case, with the club presenting them as a souvenir for supporters.

Manchester United said the turf cubes are intended to help fans keep memories of matchdays alive. The pitch was removed for the first time in 14 years as part of a major renovation. According to Manchester United, the new surface was being regrown to improve player welfare and water drainage.

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Reports indicate that the new playing surface is a hybrid pitch made up of 96% natural grass and 4% artificial fibres with the aim of providing a more durable and better-draining surface for matches.

Each turf cube is being sold for £125 through the Manchester United Store. According to BBC, the first batch has already been sold out. The turf sale was announced at the same time Manchester United released its latest financial results.

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Manchester United's overall debt remains above £1 billion. The club also spent £63.5 million on land for its proposed new stadium, which is planned to have a capacity of 100,000.

Old Trafford has been Manchester United’s home since 1910. The stadium hosted its first match on February 19, 1910, when United lost 4-3 to Liverpool.