Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has extended an invitation to Gary Neville to participate in a committee tasked with overseeing the regeneration of Old Trafford, as per a recent report.
Ratcliffe’s acquisition of approximately 27.7 percent of shares in United was officially ratified and announced on Tuesday evening. His petrochemicals company, INEOS, will now oversee the club’s footballing operations.
In an official statement released on the club’s website, Ratcliffe stated: “To become co-owner of Manchester United is a great honor and comes with great responsibility.
This marks the completion of the transaction, but just the beginning of our journey to take Manchester United back to the top of English, European, and world football, with world-class facilities for our fans. Work to achieve those objectives will accelerate from today.”
Reportedly, Neville has been invited to join a special committee focused on the redevelopment of Old Trafford, a key priority for Ratcliffe following his minority ownership acquisition.
Fans have long voiced concerns about the stadium’s condition, advocating for upgrades after years of perceived neglect under the Glazers’ ownership.
Dubbed the ‘Wembley of the North’, Ratcliffe’s proposed project could carry a price tag of around £2 billion, according to the Daily Mail. Neville has reportedly engaged in discussions with United’s chief operating officer, Collette Roche, regarding the role.
While it remains uncertain whether Neville would formally accept an offer, there is an understanding that he would not pursue any role that conflicts with his commitments at Sky Sports.
Despite his past criticism of the Glazer family, Neville has commended Ratcliffe for his early initiatives, highlighting the appointment of a CEO with previous football club experience as a positive step.
