Gary Neville risks wrath of Man Utd fans with verdict on plan to demolish Old Trafford

Gary Neville is part of the taskforce which is looking at the options for Manchester United as they seek to either redevelop Old Trafford or build a world-class new stadium

Legendary Manchester United captain Gary Neville is not concerned by the likely demolition of the club's famous Old Trafford home.

Neville is one of the members of the task force which has been tasked with exploring the regeneration of the Red Devils' aging home and its surrounding area, with a world-class football stadium at its heart.

Chaired by Sebastian Coe, other members include Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, Sara Todd, chief executive of Trafford Council, and Duncan Drasdo, CEO of Manchester United Supporters Trust.

Their report is due in December and it looks likely they will recommend that United build a new £2billion stadium. There were suggestions United could use a scaled-down Old Trafford for its women and youth teams.

Those plans now appear to be dead in the water, with the iconic ground set to be demolished instead. But Neville is unconcerned by the prospect of saying goodbye to Old Trafford.

“I’m not sure bringing Old Trafford down from a 74,000-capacity stadium to one that holds, say, 15,000 will be the smartest thing to do financially, but that needs looking at and analysing by the group," he told The Athletic.

“There’s another thing about Old Trafford. None of the stands that were there when I first went in 1979 are there in the same form. Most of the stands have been built between 1993 and 2005. We’d not be keeping anything that is 100 years old. What is it that we’d be saving?

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"Yes, we must keep the statues, the Munich clock or tunnel. I’m not overly emotional about the stadium. As long as United get a world-class refurbishment or a world-class new stadium, then United fans win. And at least there is an action plan to do something about it after years of nothing.”

Controlling co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made no secret of his desire to build a 'Wembley of the North' since acquriring a stake in United in February. Any new stadium was expected to include plans for a scaled down Old Trafford.

But according to the Daily Mail, those plans are now seen as being unrealistic due to a complex design. The cost of basically contructing a second stadium alongside their new ground would also make it too expensive.

Some at the club are also said to feel the proposed 30,000 capacity of a smaller Old Trafford would be 'too high' for the women’s and academy teams, with a future 15,000-seater venue now mooted instead.

Meanwhile, United are gearing up to survey supporters to assess their feelings on the stadium process. A survey will be sent out to season ticket holders on Friday.

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