The sight of an LED display screen is commonplace at most modern football grounds. Once seen as anathema because it could apparently inflame crowd tensions if a replay was shown of a controversial incident, they are now an integral part of the show. The use of VAR decisions means they now act to help spectators see what is going on and why a decision is upheld or overturned.

However, while it is only the Premier League that currently uses VAR, a couple of its stadiums stand out as lacking replay screens: Old Trafford and Anfield.

Given the currently contrasting fortunes of Manchester United and Liverpool, it would be an error to somehow claim there was a direct link, but the wider state of United’s Old Trafford ground has been highlighted as being in as much need of a revamp as the team.

This has led to the club’s owners commissioning KSS, the same architects that designed the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which has a very prominent state-of-the-art screen.

Writing this week about Old Trafford, the Manchester Evening News put the case for the current stadium to still be considered the best in England, despite acknowledging the lack of a big screen was a significant drawback. The case was based more on the high capacity and the historical aura of the venue, however, than its leaky roof and outdated facilities.

A club statement on the architectural work said: “Work will begin immediately on developing options for Old Trafford and studying their feasibility, with the aim of significantly enhancing the fan experience.” It may be suggested that a new screen will be central to that.

Indeed, one does not need to look across the city to the Etihad Stadium to see a screen in regular use, or to other Premier League venues.

Just a few miles south, National League leaders Stockport County’s march towards restoring Football League status is accompanied by a video screen at the Railway End of their Edgeley Park home, although it is fair to note that the visiting fans sat below it have no roof over their heads.