...and dodge fans!

SIMON MULLOCK

BY

MANCHESTER UNITED are looking to build their own Hotel Football at the club’s

Carrington training ground.

United are in talks about a luxury accommodation block which would allow Erik ten Hag’s squad to have privacy before games at Old Trafford.

United currently stay at the five-star Lowry Hotel on the Manchester-Salford border.

But the city-centre location has led to a series of issues – including a fan protest over the proposed Super League last year (above) which saw the team bus prevented from transporting the squad to a game against Liverpool that was eventually postponed.

And in August, United had to cancel their pre-match meeting at the Lowry before another clash with Liverpool over fears fans planned more action.

United have a modernisation programme to improve their stadium and training ground. Carrington has benefited from a state-of-the-art gym, new swimming pool and better women’s team facilities. A new academy centre is being built.

The club appointed a team of master planners led by Legends International and Populous to deliver proposals. Mags Mernagh, the woman behind the planning for Leicester’s new training ground, is overseeing the project in her role as Programme Director.

The hotel proposal is still in its early stages. But the likelihood is that it will include rooms for junior and academy players on a more permanent basis rather than sending them to local families and landlords.

Manchester City have a similar arrangement in place at their City Football Academy on the Etihad Campus.