GARY Neville has played a huge part in Man Utd’s past success – and now he’s about to have a big say on the club’s future.
The former Red Devils defender has been appointed to a task force looking at the regeneration of Old Trafford and the surrounding areas.
Man Utd fans are keen for the board to renovate the Field of Dreams and bring it into the 21st century.
Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now in charge of football operations and appears desperate to build a new stadium.
Ratcliffe’s ideal arena could seat 100,000 people and cost an eye-watering £2BILLION.
Old Trafford has been beset with issues in recent years, including leaky roofs and frustrating engineering obstacles.
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Athletics legend Sebastian Coe, mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and Supporters Trust CEO Duncan Drasdo have all joined Neville on the task force.
According to The Athletic, the group will bring forward a “recommendation for the future of Manchester Utd’s stadium by the end of December.”
Neville explained to the outlet: “The reason I was chosen is multi-faceted – I played for Utd, I support Utd, I’ve got a business in the area, a university too.
“We’re all there not to help Manchester Utd build the best stadium but to make sure that the best outcome is arrived at for everybody in Trafford, Greater Manchester and beyond.
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“We know that Manchester Utd want to build or refurbish/redevelop [but] we don’t know which solution will be arrived at.”
Neville hopes Wembley Stadium can serve as a blueprint for the group moving forward.
He claims there has been “significant change in Wembley around the stadium,” adding that “thousands of jobs and homes have been created.”
The Sky Sports pundit continued: “What I want to see is a world of Manchester Utd around that stadium – of opportunity, hope and belief.
“It sounds Disneyfied, but I don’t mean a theme park. I mean where people visit that area and think, ‘Wow’.”
“In five, six or seven years, I want United to have the best stadium and training ground in the world, plus doing the right things on the football side.
“That will come again and we’re patient.”
What we know about the ‘new’ Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
They plan to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a second venue.
They will scale it down to a 30,000-seater that can then be used for the women’s team and academy matches.
That would mean the history remains with statues and the Munich clock and memorial plaque all most likely staying in their current positions.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.
Man Utd have played at Old Trafford since 1909, with the last major renovations completed in 2006.
It currently has a capacity of 74,310, making it the Premier League’s biggest ground.
Despite its storied history, Neville admits he would be willing to say goodbye – if it meant success for both the team and the surrounding areas.
Neville added: “Everyone gets bogged down on whether it should be a new stadium or a redevelopment – and rightly so.
“That’s the question where everyone is at. Honestly, I’ve got a vast experience in redevelopment and rebuild in real estate. One or the other is not the most important thing to me.
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“Whether we create a new and bigger version of Tottenham’s stadium or do what Real Madrid did with the Bernabeu.
“Either outcome for me is a success because if Manchester United end up with a world-class stadium, new or developed, I genuinely don’t care.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
