Manchester United have taken steps to reduce the chances of a tunnel brawl at Old Trafford in a bid to avoid a repeat of the scenes that marred Manchester City's derby win last December.
While the home dressing room was given an upgrade this summer, the away dressing room has paid a heavy price for the reconfiguration surrounding the access to the latter.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has described the away dressing room as now 'half the size' of the one he visited during his playing days.
It is understood that United's upgrade regarding the home dressing room had no impact on the reduced away room size, with the significant changes occurring as a result of a new tunnel configuration.
Previously both teams would leave the pitch down the main tunnel before both turned a corner into a narrower corridor where the rooms would be. It was in this corridor that United and City clashed furiously following City's victory last term.
However, while the corridor remains the visiting teams at Old Trafford will now enter a new entrance to their dressing room directly from the main tunnel, with access to the corridor cut off.
The December brawl between United and City was started in the corridor which is not accessed by TV cameras.
After City blared out music from their changing room, Jose Mourinho confronted them by walking out United's room next door before leaving Pep Guardiola's side stunned as he stormed into the City changing room where he confronted keeper Ederson.
That led to a bottle being thrown at Mourinho before a brawl broke out in the corridor as United players came to the aid of their manager.
United's upgrade to the home dressing room has also seen a small kitchen put in where a chef can prepare post-match food, a new exercise chamber for the players and an administration office.
There are modern safeguarding demands also in place at the ground, with under 18s forced to change away from the main dressing room.
When Angel Gomes made his United debut in May 2017 against Crystal Palace, he was forced to change in a separate room.
prakashcr7
39
Manchester united will face heavy crisis in history of football if they don't bring ideal manager in their teams. Jose mourinho is almost sacked. 3rd season syndrome