Manchester United have enlisted the help of former legend and broadcaster Gary Neville to help with regenerating Old Trafford, according to The Times.
Sri Jim Ratcliffe, now official part owner of the Red Devils, has been keen on working around plans to modernise Old Trafford and make the stadium into one of England’s best. One of the considerations had been to build a new stadium altogether which may not completely be out of the question in such early stages of consultation. But it is thought that factors such as planning permissions, Old Trafford would not move very far at all if this was to become a reality.
Over the course of the last decade and a half, Old Trafford has slowly fallen in the list of most attractive stadiums in the United Kingdom, following well short of the likes of the Etihad, Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and London Stadium.
Neville has consistently highlighted the importance of Old Trafford being a run-down stadium under the Glazer’s ownership on the Gary Neville Podcast in recent times, even pointing out a leaking roof when recording the episode at Old Trafford earlier this season.
According to The Times, United have asked Neville to join a specialist committee that will oversee the regeneration project. The former right-back is someone who is very familiar with the area in Stretford. He part owns the Hotel Football near Old Trafford, alongside other Fergie Fledglings - an ‘upscale football-themed hotel overlooking Old Trafford’.
It is not thought to conflict with Neville’s other commitments such as being a regular Sky Sports broadcaster and commentator. However, it is a telling sign that Ratcliffe wants to get the ball rolling before the end of the season on pressing matters such as this which would take a considerable amount of time to oversee and complete if initiated.