Is Gary Neville being groomed for Parliament?

Next month Gary Neville will host a gala dinner in Manchester alongside Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

The invite sent to the party faithful promises 'an entertaining evening filled with food, drink and a Q&A with the Labour Party's newest high profile member!' as well as Sir Keir and members of his shadow cabinet.

The bulletin arrived just a few days after Kate Green announced she would not be seeking re-election for Labour in the Stretford and Urmston seat at the next general election, due in 2024.

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Some party members suspect Neville, 46, from Bury, is being groomed for Parliament, perhaps in the soon-to-be vacant Stretford and Urmston constituency.

Supporters of the Labour leader of Trafford Council since 2018, Coun Andrew Western, believe he is also a strong candidate but fear that, nationally, the party may be tempted to parachute in someone with a national profile.

Only last month Neville - an eloquent former Manchester United captain turned pundit and successful businessman - revealed he had become a member of the Labour party.

This was no great surprise to fans, who knew him as an unofficial 'shop steward' representing fellow players particularly while on England duty.

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He insisted last month he simply wanted to support the party but openly discussed entering political life. He played it down but equally did not rule it out - and nor did he rule out one day standing for mayor of Greater Manchester.

On Saturday, during a Q&A before United's match ostensibly about football at Hotel Football, which he co-owns, fans noted how he spent much