Manchester United defend decision to block Gary Neville's hotel plans - Goal.com

Manchester United have defended their opposition to Gary Neville's attempt to obtain planning permission for an ambitious project at Old Trafford.

The former United defender originally announced plans to build a bar for the club's fans, but this idea developed to include a 10-storey, 139-room hotel and leisure complex.

However, United do not agree with the changes and have formally objected to the plans, believing the proposed complex to be too big.

"The club has been developing its vision for the area over the last few months, following on from the very successful pedestrianisation scheme executed in July," said a United spokesman.

"As part of that vision, we considered in detail the changes to the sheer scale of the new project proposed, as distinct to the original plan.

"We had some projections done of what the view of the stadium would be from various angles on the other side of Wharfside Way and have concluded that, on balance, we do not want a building of that size so close to the stadium."