Manchester United will consult their supporters before deciding whether to go ahead and sell the naming rights to Old Trafford.
United have not ruled out the controversial move, with “no options off the table” according to one source involved in the decision-making process.
Only last year, Sir Jim Ratcliffe dismissed the notion of selling the naming rights to United's historic stadium as a means of generating extra revenue for United.
Ratcliffe, who owns a 28.8 per cent stake in United and is now in charge of football operations at the club, claimed Old Trafford was sacrosanct and sponsoring it was off-limits.
“I hadn't thought of that,” said Ratcliffe, when asked whether he would consider the move. “That would be heresy. I would not change it. It's always Old Trafford.”
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But Ratcliffe's stance has changed, set against the backdrop of the plan to redevelop Old Trafford or build a brand new stadium on the existing side, with the revenue needed to undertake that.
Ratcliffe wants to transform Old Trafford into the “Wembley of the North” and a special task force was set up to look at the feasibility of redeveloping the ground - which would cost around £800million - or building a new home for United, a project estimated to cost £1.5bn to £2bn.
Man Utd are looking at redeveloping Old Trafford or building a brand new stadium on the existing site - at a cost of up to £2bn (Getty Images)A multi-million pound deal to sell the naming rights would more than likely form part of the financing of the Old Trafford overhaul, with discussions ongoing with various potential partners.
One of those on the Old Trafford task force is former United defender Gary Neville, who outlined his view on selling the naming rights to the stadium a few years ago, endorsing the move.
“I would sell the naming rights at Old Trafford, if I was at Manchester United, for £60m, £70m or £80m-a-year.” said Neville.
“On the understanding that all of the money generated - £800m over 10 years – would mean that the whole of the Stretford End would be £10 or £12 to get in and a proportion of those tickets would go to young people.
“It's the first time I've made that suggestion, but I've thought it for many, many years. You would consult with the fans - you've sold sponsorships in every other area of the club. Old Trafford is an iconic stadium in name. I'll never change calling it Old Trafford."
If United do decide to sell the naming rights, one stipulation to potential sponsors is likely to be the retention of the name Old Trafford in any deal, as is the case with Barcelona's stadium, now known as the Spotify Camp Nou.
Manchester City and Arsenal have benefited from lucrative naming rights contracts with the Etihad Stadium and Emirates Stadium respectively, with both of those sponsors' names also appearing on the shirts as part of their deals.
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