Video may have killed the radio star, but the camera phone and social media is helping to kill the Old Trafford atmosphere.

The 1979 Buggles hit was penned with a concern about how technology would impact on society - if only they knew! Take a look around Old Trafford during a game and you'll see more fans filming their experience than joining in singing and creating an atmosphere. Where once a roar of the crowd went up when Manchester United won a corner, it's now the camera phone that gets raised. Fans now want to record the moment rather than live the moment. Take a look next time United get a penalty, that's if we ever get awarded another one, and you'll see the majority of those behind the goal filming the moment. It's not the stare of the goalkeeper that's off putting to the penalty taker, but the blinding light of the camera phone flash behind the goal.

Clips often appear on social media of grainy footage taken by fans. In amongst the mayhem of those who still celebrate goals is the amateur cameraman remaining calm and happy in their knowledge that they have caught the moment on camera, oblivious to those caught up in the moment around them.

Social media has played its part as well, with fans more interested in face timing their mates at home or updating their Facebook than they are with supporting the team on the pitch.

Social media and the camera phone alone aren't the reasons why the atmosphere in football grounds is suffering. Old Trafford has been in decline for a long time and numerous factors can be applied to that.

After last Tuesday night's League Cup semi final against Hull, Jose Mourinho hit out at the lack of noise from United fans and called on them to raise their game for Sunday's massive derby with arch rivals Liverpool. Jose urged fans to "not come to the theatre, but to play with us".

Jose needn't worry, the atmosphere for the big games at Old Trafford is always good and Sunday will be no different. United fans despise their rivals from down the East Lancs road and the feeling is mutual. The concern from not just Jose, but from fans and fan groups is the poor atmosphere at the lesser games.

Hull at home on Tuesday night in the League Cup isn't the most appealing of fixtures. Hull themselves only brought a thousand fans and the lack of away support didn't help the atmosphere. Often it's the small corner of away fans who can be heard the most at Old Trafford, but the Hull contingent were as flat as their season.

United's fans should have been up for a Cup semi final and it was no surprise that Jose was critical.

It's not the first time that a United manager has felt the need hit out at the home support. In 2008 following a narrow win over Birmingham City, Sir Alex Ferguson described the atmosphere as "it was like a funeral out there" as he felt the lack of atmosphere wasn't helping the players. Roy Keane famously hit out at the Old Trafford crowd back in 2002 and his famous "prawn sandwich" comments have long been used to ridicule the United support.

The Hull semi final atmosphere was a stark contrast to the 1992 League Cup semifinal v Middlesbrough. That night supporters packed the standing Stretford End terrace and one of the last great atmospheres was created from below the "Wonderfuel Gas" sign on the old stand.

One of the main differences that night back in 1992 was that fans still had a choice of whether they wanted to sit or stand, something which the introduction of the all seater stadium put a stop to. Modern stadia and the criteria for all seating is probably the single biggest factor for why the modern football atmosphere is so poor. In the days of terraces, fans had a choice, they had a choice of where they wanted to be located. Those that want to be vocal would choose to stand amongst vocal like-minded fans, whilst those who wanted to sit, could do so amongst others of the same ilk. That choice no longer exists and those that want to stand and sing are often surrounded by those who want to sit and remain quiet, with stewards often called in to enforce the seating and conflict between fans, something which has been in evidence at West Ham this season, in a stadium that is so far removed from football atmosphere that you will ever encounter.

However, hope may be on the horizon, the introduction of rail seat standing areas is being called for by supporters and fan groups alike. Popular across the continent the rail areas allow for fans to safely stand and have addressed many of the atmosphere issues. Celtic have successfully installed a trial area for rail seats and it's proving to be a popular success. United fan groups including Stretford End Flags (SEF) have lobbied United officials to investigate the possibility of trial areas within Old Trafford.

A recent poll conducted by SEF showed over 85% of United fans are in favour of rail standing areas, a figure which included those who still want to remain seated. United officials have listened and although they haven't publicly called for a trial, they have recently sent their own survey out to all of Old Trafford's season ticket holders, being the first top flight club to actively seek fans views on rail seats. It's not just United fans who are seeking this safe and logical progression, the subject has been discussed by leading Liverpool supporters groups, among the still sensitive and unhealed scars of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster where 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives whilst watching the club they loved.

Liverpool fans groups recognise the development in safety that rail seats can bring, far safer than standing in amongst the low backed plastic seats that stadia currently have. They also recognise the benefits it brings to the atmosphere, the Kop, just like the Stretford End no longer generating the noise it once did and Jurgen Klopp, just like Mourinho encouraging supporters to get behind their team.

United and Liverpool are the country's two biggest teams, clubs with worldwide support and a local working class heart. Sunday's game will be watched by the world, the atmosphere will be electric and even those who remain seated most weeks will be on their feet screaming at every tackle and shot.

Jose has got United playing again, the football has been good, the spirit has returned and the big names are now dictating games. Who knows what Sunday will bring, but one thing's for sure, Jose won't be let down by the United roar. Let's hope it's United who will be the video stars!

Andrew is the co-founder of Stretford End Flags, an independent fans group set up to improve the atmosphere and colour within Old Trafford. SEF provide the famous Stretford End banners. Visit stretfordendflags.com for more information - and to get involved.

Follow Stretford End Flags on Twitter: @sef_Mufc