Gary Neville's stance clear as Man Utd 'consider selling naming rights to Old Trafford'

Gary Neville has previously expressed support of Manchester United potentially selling the naming rights to Old Trafford - but on one condition.

The stunning news stated part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will consider selling the naming rights to a refurbished Old Trafford or a newly-constructed ground in order to raise revenues for the multi-billion-pound project.

The club are also looking at substantially driving up ticket prices with United having had talks with the likes of Bank of America with plans to seek capital required for a major revamp of the Red Devils' stadium, according to The Athletic.

The consideration to sell the naming rights will certainly not go down well with fans given the 114-year-old stadium has always been known as Old Trafford with its naming rights having been protected, compared to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City who sold theirs to Emirates and Etihad Airlines respectively.

Years before the possibility of Old Trafford being renamed became a reality, ex-United captain Neville believed the sale of the naming rights would create positive change in the community while contributing to cheaper tickets, the latter being opposite to what the club currently have on their agenda.

Speaking in 2019, the pundit told Stan Collymore’s podcast The Last Word: "The Glazer family, and to be fair, they’ve said it for correct reasons, have said that they’ll never put naming rights on Old Trafford, the brand of Old Trafford.

"I would sell the naming rights to Old Trafford if I was at Manchester United for £60, £70, £80million-a-year. On the understanding that all of the money generated – £800m over 10 years – would mean that the whole of the Stretford End would be £10 or £12 to get in, and a proportion of those tickets would go to young people.

gary neville

"It’s the first time I’ve made that suggestion, but I’ve thought it for many, many years. You would consult with the fans, you’ve sold sponsorships in every other area of the club. Old Trafford is an iconic stadium in name. I’ll never change calling it Old Trafford."

Ratcliffe intends on improving the Theatre of Dreams, which has become much more of a nightmare during the Glazers' reign, one way or the other. A new-build would be the more expensive option, but may pay dividends in the long run compared to a refurbishment of the existing ground.

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