Manchester United to close section of Old Trafford due to poor Europa League ticket sales - reports

Last-32 tie against Midtjylland is not attracting supporters

A view of Old Trafford (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United will close a section of Old Trafford for their Europa League tie against Midtjylland due to a lack of demand from fans, it's reported.

Louis van Gaal's side take on their Danish opponents in Europe's second tier competition later this month having dropped into the tournament after failing to progress from the group stage of the Champions League.

According to reports around 4,000 seats in the Sir Alex Ferguson stands will be left empty and completely closed.

The lack of demand comes despite a 25 per cent reduction in ticket prices for the Last-32 tie on 25 February. The club's controversial auto-opt-in for cup matches scheme for season ticket holders has been waived for the competition though, as it was for Capital One Cup ties this season.

When United last played in the competition - in 2011/12 - the same section was closed with the attendance figures showing 67,000 for a game against Ajax and 59,265 against Athletic Bilbao.

The news will still be an embarrassment for a club that prides itself on regular sell-out crowds at what at a capacity of 75,635 is the largest club ground in England.