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Manchester United Reportedly 'To Swerve' Gary Neville's Hotel Football
November 16, 2018
Manchester United will reportedly not be making use of Hotel Football as they seek a solution to their travel issues.
According to Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail, despite being late for their first two UEFA Champions League matches this season because of traffic, United won't have their players stay at Hotel Football, which is across the road from Old Trafford and owned by club legends Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs.
Though talks are said to still be ongoing, United are instead likely set to continue using the Hilton Garden Inn but will take a "more straightforward route to the stadium" and "with extra stewards and police being brought in to ensure the road is clear."
Neville disputed Keegan's article on Twitter, though:
United switched to using the Hilton, which is just half a mile from Old Trafford, after they were fined £13,000 by UEFA for delaying the kick-off of their clash with Valencia on October 2.
The team had travelled from their usual city-centre base, the Lowry Hotel, but because of the traffic in Manchester, it took the bus more than an hour to reach the stadium.
However, the hotel change did little to resolve the issue, despite the Hilton's close proximity to Old Trafford.
Traffic was once again an issue when United hosted Juventus on October 23, so manager Jose Mourinho opted to walk to the stadium while the coach spent 45 minutes making the short journey.
On Twitter, Neville discussed with Jennifer Williams of the Manchester Evening News why United's solution has not been to leave their hotel earlier:
Jennifer Williams @JenWilliamsMEN@GNev2 @MikeKeegan_DM @hotelfootballuk But surely they wouldn’t, if they got their timings right? there’s just a bit of me that’s irritable about the fact everyone else has to deal with the traffic, but when it affects United, who are staying *round the corner*, there’s an urgent review
The club previously had issues with Hotel Football, unsuccessfully objecting to planning permission for it.
Per Keegan, the Red Devils argued the hotel, which opened in 2015, did not have enough parking and did not fit with "the club's holistic vision for the continuing enhancement of the area surrounding the stadium."
United's final home fixture in the Champions League group stage is on November 27 against Young Boys. They also face Arsenal in a Premier League match at 8 p.m. GMT eight days later.