+1I'd recommend drinking somewhere round Piccadilly or Oxford Road, then getting the tram in...
i would recommend this too. are you driving or train? if you get train into picc there's a wetherspoons, the piccadilly tavern or the bulls head all near by, all get a football crowd. around old trafford i've no idea where is away friendly.
i'm in E32 for the carling cup game. where you at?