ManU cannot be "accused of missing many money-making tricks" in a constant, "irritating reminder of an opportunity missed," according to Ian Ladyman of the London DAILY MAIL. Hotel Football, "you may recall, is the brainchild" of former ManU captain Gary Neville. Boasting a bar, restaurant and four-star facilities including a football pitch on the roof, it has only been open a matter of months and is already "forming a fundamental part of the Old Trafford landscape, supporters gathering there before matches and again afterwards for Q&A sessions" with Owners Neville and Ryan Giggs. Initially, ManU officials "objected to the very concept of the hotel, trying to block planning permission through the local authority." Now, having "failed with that," ManU CEO Ed Woodward and Managing Dir Richard Arnold are "considering trying to buy it." It is understood that one "tentative approach" was made by ManU to Neville and his business partners prior to the hotel opening. That got ManU "nowhere and there has been nothing since." According to informed sources, however, the issue has not gone away. An Old Trafford source said, "The hotel irritates people at United. ... Not only because they couldn't stop it but because people here realize now that they really should have thought of it first" (DAILY MAIL, 6/15).
