Manchester United's owners, the Glazer Family, have been slammed for allowing their former headquarters to “fall to bits”.
Legendary managers Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson built some of the greatest sides the world has ever seen at the Red Devils' old training ground, 'The Cliff'. George Best's skills were perfected, the Busby Babes were fine tuned and the legendary 'Class of 92', which produced the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and many more, were moulded there.
However, the club departed the ground in 1999 to move to their Carrington Training Base, which is still the stomping ground of the club. Sadly, the state of the Cliff has left many fans and members of staff within the club devastated.
“If you want to know about the Glazers and what they feel about the club get yourself to The Cliff,” one person within the club said to the Daily Mail “The place should be a museum, somewhere to be proud of. But it's had hardly any money spent on it in 20 years and it is falling to bits. It's shameful and it shows that the Americans do not care.”
The main building which overlooks the training pitches is covered in scaffolding, while other signs of decay include cracked windows and interiors which have evidently not seen any love since the late 90s. “It's utterly heartbreaking,” another observer, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Mail. “You read about Old Trafford and all the money that needs to be spent on it, the roof leaking – the real neglect is at The Cliff.
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“This place should be sparkling, looked after forever. It's not had any investment in years.” While the men's team moved to Carrington, the United women's team were stationed at the Cliff, while other younger sides were also based there.
Former United women's manager Casey Stoney resigned in protest at what she felt was a lack of support and funding from the powers that be at the club. And another person within the club also stated one glimpse at the surroundings there may see the club lose several up and coming players to Manchester City.
“You wonder what parents think when they turn up here with their kids for training,” the insider added. “A lot of them could be at City where it's all gleaming and new – but they're here in this dump. It's not what it should be for a club like Manchester United.”
After they were approached by the Mail, a spokesperson for the club said they have given extra investment and maintenance to the pitch and the indoor centre.