NOT many people might know this, but United really were Champions of Europe last season writes Chris Sudlow

Okay, so on the playing field Bayern Munich were the masters, but where it matters to the plc, the Reds were in charge.

Official attendance figures show United had the highest average despite only achieving the fifth highest individual crowd figure.

The top five European grounds were: Manchester United (average 67,490, highest 67,637), Real Madrid (64,872 - 76,300), Borussia Dortmund (63,729 -68,600), AS Roma (63,283 - 77,120) and Barcelona (61,389 - 98,000).

And talking of crowds, you can bet on one topic again becoming a major discussion point again, particularly at Old Trafford, where Fulham are first match visitors tomorrow: Should spectators be allowed to stand?

Last season Trafford Council threatened to close parts of Old Trafford after some fans repeatedly stood up in various areas. There was a further review before this season's safety licence was renewed.

There has been a long battle to re-introduce 'safe' standing areas at Premier League grounds which have been geared towards all-seater stadia since the Taylor Report following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

Germany, chosen ahead of England to host the 2006 World Cup, already has so-called 'safe standing' sections in place at their top-flight clubs and supporters want the British government to consider following suit.

As well as closing sections of the ground where fans stand, the Football Licensing Authority also has the option of banning away supporters - who are often viewed as more likely to stand up.

United's travelling fans in particular have been heavily censured in a recent report on ground safety for consistently defying stewards and standing.

A ban on away travel would certainly please one section of the football community, of course - the TV moguls just waiting to make even more millions from selling selected pay-for-view matches. FIRST FIVE: Tomorrow: Fulham (H, Sky, 4pm); Wednesday: Blackburn (A, ITV Sport pfv, 8pm); Sunday, Aug 26: Villa (A, ITV Sport pfv, 2pm); Saturday, Sept 8: Everton (H); Saturday, Sept 15: Newcastle (A).