Manchester United look to build food kiosk just YARDS away from Class of 92's hotel... which could reignite seven-year-old ROW with Gary Neville and his former team-mates
* Manchester United have applied for planning permission to install food kiosk
* The proposed food and drink outlet would be just yards from Hotel Football
* The move could spark a row with Class of 92 who own hotel outside Old Trafford
Manchester United want to build a food kiosk yards away from the Class of '92's hotel — in a bid to hoover up trade outside Old Trafford.
The club have applied for planning permission to install a food and drink facility which would intercept visitors before they can head over the bridge to the £24m facility owned by Gary Neville and fellow members of the Class of '92.
Some may view the move as an attempt to take cash from the club's legends and the potential re-igniting of a seven-year-old row dating back to the construction of the 10-storey hotel. The venue, which United objected to, operates a successful restaurant and benefits from the huge number of tourists visiting the adjacent stadium.
Man United want to build a food kiosk outside Old Trafford to hoover up matchday custom. Manchester United hope their food kiosk will intercept fans as they head to Hotel Football
Old Trafford insiders say the hotel's presence, dominating the landscape, serves as a daily reminder of a lost opportunity to increase revenue at the club.
And, while United officials insist the move is simply aimed at catering for visitors to the Theatre of Dreams, it would appear that they have now taken a step to hit back.
The club want the kiosk, which will be manned by four staff and is virtually in the shadow of the hotel, to be open seven days a week, from 6am to 7pm. After matches and events, they would like it to serve until 11pm.
The move could reignite a seven-year-old row with Gary Neville and his former team-mates. The club opposed plans for Hotel Football (right) but they were still passed unanimously
While there is already a food and drink facility inside the ground at the Red Café, many visitors head to the Megastore and have their pictures taken next to the Holy Trinity statue of Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and George Best before departing the scene. The kiosk will offer a selection of hot food and confectionery but will not serve alcohol.
It remains to be seen if Neville and Co will object to the planning application, but such a scenario is thought to be unlikely. They may well welcome the competition.
In 2012, United lodged a stinging, five-page objection to the hotel to council officials after originally backing the scheme. They claimed the development had insufficient parking and vowed to continue to oppose the proposed scheme thanks to its impact on the Old Trafford landscape and 'the club's holistic vision for the continuing enhancement of the area surrounding the stadium'.
Despite United's objection, the proposals were passed unanimously.
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