Manchester United officials are looking at ways to expand the capacity of Old Trafford to 88,000.

The proposed increase of more than 12,000 seats from the present capacity of 75,643 would be achieved by extending the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, formerly known as the South Stand.

Old Trafford is already the largest club stadium in Britain, but this would almost take it onto a par with Wembley Stadium, which holds 90,000 spectators.

Manchester United officials are looking at ways of expanding Old Trafford to hold 88,000 fans

The Sir Bobby Charlton Stand (pictured) would be expanded to add an extra 12,000 seats

It would also see Old Trafford's capacity overtake the San Siro, Bernabeu, Stade de France and Westfalenstadion on the continent.

United are giving strong consideration to the long-term expansion plans because a new section for disabled fans - expected to be completed by 2020 - would lead to a reduction in capacity to around 73,300.

Previously, the railway line at the back of the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand meant expanding it would require a costly tunnel and the demolition of a number of houses.

The proposed expansion would make Old Trafford the third largest football stadium in Europe

United regularly pack out the 75,000-capacity Old Trafford for Premier League matches

Europe's largest stadiums 1. Nou Camp (Barcelona) - 99.354 2. Wembley (London) - 90,000 3. Westfalenstadion (Dortmund) - 81,359 4. Stade de France (Paris) - 81,338 5. San Siro (Milan) - 80,018 6. Bernabeu (Madrid) - 81,044 7. Luzhniki Stadium (Moscow) - 81,000 8. Ataturk Stadium (Istanbul) - 76,092 9. Old Trafford (Manchester) - 75,643 10. Allianz Arena (Munich) - 75,000 Advertisement

However, advances in stadium technology mean this may no longer be a problem and 7,500 more seats could be added.

United would then look at adding quadrants in the two corners of the stand to raise the capacity to 88,000, meaning the ground would be behind only Barcelona's Nou Camp (99,354) and Wembley in Europe.

A safe-standing area may also feature in the development with United fans in favour of the concept, which would require a change in the current legislation for stadiums.

It comes as United are set to appoint full-time ticket tout officers to clamp down on the black market sale of thousands of tickets.