Gary Neville believes Manchester United should consider making Old Trafford the home of all its teams, to bring fans closer to the club.
While Neville, who is part of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, doesn’t stress what exactly he would suggest but he believes the women’s team should be playing on the same site as Old Trafford.
Neville references a ‘very’ prominent ex-England international who said the women’s game is homeless. Manchester United Women play the majority of their home games at Leigh Sports Village.
“It’s something the club definitely have to consider, having a stadium where the women’s team can play and call home,” Neville explained (via Manchester Evening News) when asked if having a second women’s team stadium on the same campus could help grow football among women and girls in Greater Manchester.
Neville added: “I spoke to a very prominent ex-England international about three months ago who said the women’s game is homeless. That’s not just at Manchester United, it’s across the country.
“There are some clubs that have a women’s stadium, but a lot haven’t. I think Manchester United will need to look at a solution for that and should look at a solution for that in the next five to ten years.”
Marc Skinner’s side got their 2024/25 campaign off to a flying start beating West Ham 3-0 at Old Trafford. But, just 12,000 tickets were sold and the club did not announce the attendance, as per The Athletic.
Perhaps it would make more sense to have a stadium for the women and youth team. I have travelled to Leigh for a youth game from Old Trafford and it’s not the best compute with heavy traffic.
Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
