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United have drafted in an acoustic engineer to improve the atmosphere at Old Trafford.

The Reds have been looking at ways of turning up the volume at the Theatre of Dreams after complaints from supporters.

They trialled moving away fans in a bid to introduce a singing section but had to admit defeat because of safety and security fears.

However, M.E.N. Sport can reveal that, in a move which is sure to prompt jibes from across the city on the eve of Monday’s derby, the club has contracted a sound specialist to carry out a report on the stadium.

The expert attended the Liverpool match in January and will monitor noise levels at another game before the season concludes.

The findings will then be presented to the Reds’ top brass who will decide what action to take.

It is understood the hiring of the specialist was prompted by fans in the Stretford End.

A Reds’ source said: “There were supporters in the Stretford End who thought they had made a lot of noise only for friends in different parts of the ground to say they couldn’t hear them.”

The club would not say how much they are paying the specialist. However, at a Fans Forum held at their Carrington training ground, they did confirm plans to shift opposition fans had been scrapped.

They trialled the proposals, moving Aston Villa fans from the regular spot in the East Stand to the top tier of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, last April.

As revealed by the M.E.N. at the time, a scathing report from police chiefs was produced following the exercise.

They highlighted Manchester City’s ‘Poznan’ celebration – where fans turn their backs on the action and jump up and down – as a safety fear as it could cause the steep Sir Alex Ferguson Stand to ‘flex’.

A number of other security issues were also raised.

United did say they do ‘remain committed to moving away supporters from their current location’, although they acknowledge it is a ‘difficult task to find a suitable area without inconveniencing United fans’.

The Fans Forum was attended by a number of Reds season ticket holders.

Chief operating officer Michael Bolingbroke and outgoing chief executive David Gill were also present.