Manchester United and Manchester City are among a long list of clubs whose matches must remain behind closed doors after Manchester was kept under Tier 3 restrictions following a government review into the measures to tackle COVID-19.
It was hoped that Manchester, and other areas across the country that had been put into Tier 3 on December 2 after the second national lockdown ended, would be downgraded to Tier 2 as a result of falling COVID-19 infection rates in some regions.
Such a move would have meant United and City could welcome 2,000 fans back to Old Trafford and the Etihad respectively, with United having already taken applications from season ticket holders for their match against Leeds at Old Trafford on Sunday.
However, it was announced on Thursday that Manchester, as well as much of the rest of the country, will remain under Tier 3 restrictions, meaning matches will stay behind closed doors.
There was relief for Liverpool and Everton fans, however, as fans will still be able to attend matches as the city of Liverpool remained under Tier 2 restrictions. Anfield has hosted two Premier League matches with 2,000 fans present in the last two weeks.
Wider areas in the south east will join London in stricter Tier 3 restrictions, with the majority of other areas who had hoped to be downgraded to Tier 2 restrictions disappointed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s announcement in the House of Commons on Thursday.