Man Utd end battle over listing of Old Trafford as asset of community value

Manchester United Football Club has withdrawn its request for a review of Trafford Council’s decision to list Old Trafford as an asset of community value.

When the listing was announced in July, the club had initially expressed concern that the legislation on assets of community value was “not being applied correctly”. It warned that a precedent could be set throughout the country.

However, its solicitors have now notified the local authority that it does not want to pursue the review.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust, which nominated the ground for listing, welcomed the club’s change of tack.

Chief executive Duncan Drasdo said: "We're delighted that the owners have taken the decision to back down over their opposition to the listing of Old Trafford as an Asset of Community Value. We were always very confident of our case having taken pro bono advice from the top law firms in the UK.”

A spokesman for Manchester United told the BBC that the club did not believe the decision to name Old Trafford an asset of community value had “any meaningful impact on the club".

He added: "As a result, there seemed little point in engaging in a long, drawn-out legal process just to demonstrate a point.”

At the time of the original decision Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "The new community rights we have introduced have insured that even a global iconic institution like Manchester United will remain rooted in the community in which it was founded thanks to the actions of the Manchester United Supporters Trust. I look forward to other communities following this wonderful example."