Manchester United are looking to build their own Hotel Football at the club’s Carrington training ground.
United are in talks about developing a luxury accommodation block which would allow Erik ten Hag’s squad to be ensconced in total privacy before games at Old Trafford. United currently stay at the five-star Lowry Hotel on the border of Manchester and Salford.
But the city-centre location has led to a series of issues - including a fan protest over the proposed Super League last year 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 that supporters were planning more disruptions.
United are embarking on a modernisation programme to improve their stadium and training ground. Carrington has already benefited from a new, state-of-the-art gym, refurbished swimming pool and improved facilities for the women’s team.
A new academy centre is also currently being built. The club appointed a team of masterplanners led by Legends International and Populous to deliver proposals.
Mags Mernagh, the woman behind the planning for Leicester ’s impressive 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 to house junior and academy players on a more permanent basis rather than sending them to live with local families and landlords.
Manchester City already have a similar arrangement in place at their City Football Academy on the Etihad Campus.
