Gary Neville invited by Manchester United to consult on regeneration of Old Trafford

Manchester United have invited Gary Neville to consult on the planned regeneration of Old Trafford and its surrounding area.

It is understood Neville, who co-owns the nearby Hotel Football, would not assume an official role, but he has been sounded out by Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe to be involved.

The Manchester Evening News revealed earlier this month that United have viewed potential plans to knock down Old Trafford and rebuild a new stadium on the same site.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the MEN last week the club had not decided whether to rebuild or revamp the 114-year-old stadium.

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Neville’s relationship with the United hierarchy was frosty during Ed Woodward’s tenure as executive vice chairman, but former chief executive Richard Arnold forged a more collegiate relationship with the former United captain.

The news comes a week after Trafford Council unveiled bold new plans to transform and regenerate an area surrounding Old Trafford, which would include a new 'processional route' to the stadium, north along Sir Matt Busby Way, and a major new 'world-class public space' framing the whole of the stadium.

A new public park is planned for the sprawling plot of land, and a new primary school could be built, with the waters of the Manchester Ship Canal providing a backdrop for a new community of homes, attractions, leisure, and business.

"Development for the Stadium Quarter will be guided by the presence of the stadium itself. Improved public realm and green space will be in its immediate proximity, with the opportunity for