Manchester United become first Premier League club to introduce key change at Old Trafford

Manchester United have taken a pioneering step in the Premier League by becoming the first club to introduce male sanitary facilities at Old Trafford.

The club is rolling out bins and free products like pads, tackling an issue highlighted by a recent study from Prostate Cancer UK and phs Group released on Tuesday which indicates that half of the men suffering from bladder weakness are attending fewer games due to inadequate amenities and worry over leaks.

One in seven (14 per cent) of those surveyed admitted they have stopped attending matches entirely because of this problem.

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The Red Devils have now become the first top-flight team to commit to Gold BOG STANDARD accreditation, signifying adherence to the benchmark for facilities set by Prostate Cancer UK and phs Group to aid men with incontinence.

Prostate cancer affects one in eight men, and urinary incontinence (UI) can be a distressing consequence of treatments necessary to combat this condition, with numerous sufferers dealing with this issue for varying lengths of time post-treatment.

Nick Ridgman, head of support services at Prostate Cancer UK, praised Manchester United for their initiative. He said: "Manchester United's commitment to supporting men with incontinence is a fantastic step forward and we hope their action will inspire change across the whole football community, from the top of the Premier League to local non-league games.

“By giving men access to the basic facilities they need, we hope more men will feel confident to get back in the game and back to watching live football matches unhampered by their incontinence.”

Former BBC sports presenter Steve Rider, who has personally battled prostate cancer, added: "Incontinence can become a real social barrier. Imagine going to watch your local football team, you're halfway through the second half and suddenly you feel the need to get rid of something a bit more substantial than your season ticket."

"The ability to do that hygienically, with security and dignity, is so important. And that's why I'm a strong supporter of the Back in the Game initiative to get clubs up to the BOG STANDARD, to enable men to live a better life."