A disabled Manchester United supporter has said he is "genuinely worried" about what would happen in the event of an emergency at Old Trafford, criticising the standard of stewarding within the area of the ground he watches from.

Dave Wood, 47, is a disabled season ticket holder at United and occupies a wheelchair seat within the disabled section at the very top of the Stretford End, an area within the ground that is used by around 90 disabled supporters.

Mr Wood, who is now into his fourth season as a disabled season ticket holder, has criticised the standard of stewarding within the disabled section, outlining his concerns about what could happen in the event of an emergency taking place.

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United have said they have conducted several audits of the area and have deployed more stewards than is necessary. They have also confirmed chief operating officer Collette Roche and head of fan engagement Rick McGagh held a meeting with MUDSA (Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association) prior to last week's 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.

"Up until the end of last season, we had a dedicated team of stewards that were knowledgeable around disabled people," Mr Wood told the Manchester Evening News. "They got to know us, they were part of our matchday experience and they became friends.

"In the Stretford End we have got this community of people; we all sit together before the game, we have a good chat, the [former] stewards joined in. The Stretford End is the one place I don't feel disabled because everyone is in the same boat.

"Disability is never discussed, it's just football and general life gets discussed. The stewards were part of that.

"Now they have brought in these new stewards, most of whom, to be honest, are interested in the free football. They don't engage with us as disabled fans.

"They won't talk to me or other disabled fans; they will talk to our PA's [personal assistants]. They talk over our heads. A good example, a couple of games ago, was when one of the stewards talked to my wife and went, 'I need to search his bag'. She replied, saying: 'Ask him, not me'. He then carried on addressing my wife.

"The phrase I use is, 'think wheelchair, think stupid'. It is like they are afraid of catching something. They have got no interaction with any of us fans because they are there one week and not the next; they are in a different part of the stand or not at the game. There is no continuity at all.

"I got a clip yesterday [the game against Everton] and I could not see a single steward in sight, and that was 10 minutes before kick-off.

"If these guys do not know how to interact with disabled people, and how to deal with disabled people in an emergency, I am genuinely worried there is going to be a major incident, or in the event of an evacuation they would not have a clue what to do.

"Most of us up in that section are in wheelchairs; we can't use stairs. I could possibly bum shuffle down one flight of stairs, but to go seven flights, or whatever it is from the top of the Stretford End, I couldn't. We would be left stranded, I think, because I don't think they would have a clue what to do.

"I don't want to move seats, and I am not going to, but there is a genuine fear that it is not being taken seriously by the club at all."

The Manchester Evening News contacted United for comment in response to Mr Wood's concerns and they issued a statement, saying: "We take great pride in the facilities and services we provide for all disabled fans who attend matches at Old Trafford.

"Our strong commitment in this area is reflected by the fact the Premier League, who audit every match, have verified our operation to be of the highest standard.

"We regularly engage with the Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association to discuss how we can continue to deliver the best matchday experience for our fans with disabilities, with the latest meeting taking place yesterday [November 28]."

As a result of his concerns, Mr Wood has launched a petition to ensure United try and preserve a high-standard of stewarding within the disabled section at Old Trafford.

Discussing the petition he has created, he continued: "A lot of people have spoken to me because I am quite vocal! I have only been in a wheelchair for a short number of years, so I still remember what it is like not to be disabled. For me, the stark difference between accessibility and non-accessible is quite fresh. I am quite happy to put myself out there.

"A couple of people have said, 'can we do anything? What about a petition?', so I started one.

"They [other supporters within the disabled section] are all behind it. Every one of us wants that [stewarding] team back - or a permanent staff of dedicated [people]. Some of those staff are still there, so it wouldn't actually cost the club any extra money, they have just got to move them around properly."

As a result of his concerns, Mr Wood has written a letter to Roche, requesting her to visit the disabled section at the top of the Stretford End and listen to his concerns.

"Ten minutes is not a lot of time to offer some of the most vulnerable fans within the stadium," he said.

Stewarding issues aside, Mr Wood insists he is happy with the matchday experience at Old Trafford. However, in the event of a new stadium being built, he has said he would like to see both dedicated facilities for disabled supporters, plus a dedicated stewarding team put in place.

He added: "What I want from the new stadium is something like what I experienced at the Spurs stadium, where you have got dedicated areas, a bit like we have got in the Stretford End, for disabled fans, dedicated stewards and dedicated facilities.

"Football stadiums can be very, very busy places and they can be quite difficult to negotiate in a wheelchair. I have made my best friend in life at the stadium. My best friend sits right next to me at every home game and we love that whole disabled community. If we are spread around the ground, that's fine, but there has to be dedicated areas with dedicated facilities."