Manchester City fan to play ‘key role’ in Manchester United’s Old Trafford redevelopment plans

A season ticket holder at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium is reportedly set to play a ‘key role’ in rivals Manchester United’s redevelopment plans for Old Trafford.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are currently overseeing somewhat of a rebuild of Manchester United since investing into the football club earlier this year, beginning with the footballing decisions and the infrastructure at Old Trafford.

An element of the club that has been discussed widely over the last few years has been the quality of stadium on offer to Manchester United supporters, irrespective of the history and prestige attached to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.

As such, a task force has now been set up by Manchester United’s new minority stakeholders to assess the feasibility of a new arena for Erik ten Hag and his squad, as well as for the north-west of England and the wider football community.

The task force features local businessman, television pundit, and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, alongside Lord Coe – who will chair the panel – and accompanied by regional figures including the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

In addition to the aforementioned names, and according to the information of MailSport’s Mike Keegan, a Manchester City season ticket holder will also play a key role in Manchester United’s plans to redevelop Old Trafford.

It is detailed that one member of a task force selected to oversee plans is chief executive of Trafford Council Sara Todd – a Mancunian and planner by trade, as well as a regular at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

Todd is also a trustee of the City in the Community Foundation, MailSport report.

Gary Neville in particular has spoken very passionately about Manchester City’s incredible, world-beating infrastructure, and the overall redevelopment of the east Manchester region through a new training facility and multi-use entertainment venue.

Speaking recently, Neville explained, “I have a hotel within that acreage that Manchester United own, and every time I look across that industrial wasteland and look across at the east of Manchester and see what is being built, one of the best indoor musicales in the world, one of the best women’s and youth stadiums, one of the best training grounds, one of the most fantastic health and education centres.”

Manchester City are currently in the process of further expanding the Etihad Stadium, to take the capacity to over 60,000 and include a hotel and built-in entertainment facility for Manchester City fans on matchdays.