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Gary Neville Claims Manchester United Should Sell Old Trafford's Naming Rights For £80m Per Year

Gary Neville Claims Manchester United Should Sell Old Trafford's Naming Rights For £80m Per Year

“Old Trafford is an iconic stadium in name. I’ll never change calling it Old Trafford," Manchester United legend Gary Neville said.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Gary Neville has made a controversial call for Manchester United to sell Old Trafford's naming rights and secure a whopping £80m-a-year profit to benefit fans.

The United legend, 44, has refused to rule out the lucrative incentive for the iconic stadium's naming rights to be sold.

According to Neville, the 'Theatre of Dreams' could make £80m a year and that would help reduce ticket prices in the famed Stretford End.

The ex-United star told The Last Word with Stan Collymore: "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 ten years -- would mean that the whole of the Stratford end would be £10 or £12 to get in, and a proportion of those tickets would go to young people."

Neville admitted that the name change for the stadium is the "first time I've made that suggestion," but he insisted that he has "thought [about] it for many, many years."

The Sky Sports pundit continued: "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.

"But for the sake of it, let's say you sponsor it for £80million a year, and you call it 'Stan Collymore's Old Trafford,' I was trying to think of a company name then, but let's call it 'Stan Collymore's Old Trafford,' or the 'Jamie Carragher Arena,' it would subsidise ticket prices for ten years and it would be wonderful.

"Think about it, £80m per year, and the whole of the Stratford End would be absolutely bouncing with hungry, raw individuals, who would be able to take their kids, and drive the next generation of United fans.

PA
PA

"It would allow the communities of Stretford, Salford, Broughton, of Ordsall, to get into Old Trafford for the price of a Costa Coffee."

United have kicked off their Premier League campaign with one win, one loss and one draw so far.

The Red Devils suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday at Old Trafford.

But their season has also been hit with controversy as Paul Pogba, who was linked with an exit from Old Trafford this summer, was subjected to racial abuse after he missed a penalty against Wolves last week.

However, the 26-year-old United superstar took to social media on Sunday to post a powerful anti-racist message.

Should United sell Old Trafford's naming rights?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, red devils, Premier League, Gary Neville, Old Trafford, Football News, Football, Manchester United, red devils, Premier League, Gary Neville, Old Trafford