United's improvements to the Bramall Lane pitch are going to plan and Head Groundsman Glenn Nortcliffe is confident that the surface will be in fantastic condition for the first match.

The club has undertaken extensive work during the summer designed to ensuring that the pitch's grass is stronger and harder-wearing with fewer divots when the action recommences in August.

Expansion of the stadium in recent years has highlighted light and air movement problems which has forced United to work on new ideas.

During the last six weeks the top 10mm of grass has been skimmed off and the surface has been reseeded with rye grass. Around 40 tons of sand has been used to bury the seed and the results are that the grass is now growing nicely, says Glenn:

"It has been five weeks since we seeded and we are pleased with the results so far. We have a covering of grass but it is still very young, over the next five weeks it will thicken, whilst the root growth will benefit us in the winter months."

He adds: "We have been experimenting with grow lights and hopefully they will prove to be beneficial."

United's first encounter on the improved surface will be against Port Vale in the Carling Cup before QPR are the first Championship visitors to the Lane on Saturday 16th August.