Forget about tourniquets.
I’m at the Old Trafford football stadium to watch Manchester United play and my seat is accessed via a private lift.
I say seat. It’s actually a suite: Marriott Hotels’ M Club Suite, which I found to be one of the most incredible experiences in sport, whether you’re a Manchester United fan or not.
And it is an experience that money cannot buy. Access to the suite is auctioned as a Marriott Bonvoy “moment”, and only Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Points They are accepted currencies.
Full disclosure: I’m a Red Devils fan. But the last time I saw them play at Old Trafford was in May 1997 against Middlesbrough, a 3-3 draw despite the best efforts of Gary Neville, who I saw score his first senior goal, crashing the ball at the bottom of the network. the edge of the area after a magical pass from Eric Cantona.
MailOnline Travel’s Ted Thornhill experiences the Marriott Hotels M Club VIP Suite at Old Trafford (above)
Above: the welcome champagne.
Today’s result does not favor United.
But I’m (almost) too fascinated by the atmosphere and VIP treatment to care.
Said private lift is located in the legendary Stretford End, where I am screened by a dedicated security team before an usher takes me to the M Club suite.
Inside, the atmosphere is that of a luxury hotel lounge. Wood paneling adorns the walls, elegant chairs fill the space, cheerful waitresses hover and there’s a bottle of Paul Goerg champagne on ice. And more where that came from.
Complimentary beers, wine and soft drinks are stacked in the coolers, and there’s also a bottle of red Châteauneuf du Pape waiting, along with servings of chicken liver parfait with onion and grape chutney, charcuterie and crispy sourdough, the first of various dishes of food offered.
Steaks, Bengali lamb curry and rocky road desserts will follow. (Although shrimp sandwiches are conspicuous by their absence.)
Ted describes Marriott Hotels’ M Club Suite as “one of the most incredible sports experiences”
Ted is pictured above in the suite with former defenseman Wes Brown, who came over for a chat.
M Club Suite guests enjoy multiple courses of gourmet food, including steaks and curries.
Then the stars come to say hello.
Among them are Albert Morgan, the kitman during the 1999 treble, Micky Thomas, who scored 15 goals for the Reds between 1978 and 1981, Lou Macari, who played more than 400 games for United, and former defender Wes Brown, who played more of 230 games. under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Holy mother of all things legendary.
I’m stunned when Wes casually sits down across from me and starts chatting happily about this, that, and the other. Before long, we’re swapping stories about our experiences vacationing in Africa, and Wes describes the shocking moment he met a troop of gorillas on a trip to Rwanda.
The view from Ted’s seat at the match: United versus Tottenham
OLD TRAFFORD STADIUM TOUR
It feels like a pilgrimage.
I’m at Old Trafford stadium, the home of Manchester United, on a guided tour.
Sacred ground for a Manchester United fan like me.
But I would say that this experience is worth it for any sports fan, given how impressive the stadium is (the largest football club in the country) and the extraordinary football history that has developed here.
Ted takes a tour of the stadium. He appears in the photo above in the players tunnel.
Our official guide is full of information and hard facts, and former player Dion Dublin offers me additional information.
It’s here to show you MailOnline. But the public can book “legendary” tours with other former stars.
We are shown the old players’ tunnel, the new players’ tunnel and spend some time in the dressing room, where Dion reveals that former manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s “hairdryer” treatment was not a myth (see video).
Dion also remembers the moment Sir Alex convinced him to sign for the club: accompanying him onto the pitch and letting the majesty of the stadium do the work for him.
The tour group meets in the players’ locker room
Dion says Sir Alex led him to the center circle and said: “How do you like playing football here?”
Dion adds: “I signed a blank contract; I didn’t know what I was going to get financially.”
After this, we are taken to the pitch through the old tunnel where my group is mesmerized by the scale of the so-called “Theatre of Dreams”.
After soaking up the atmosphere in the press room, you exit through an epic gift shop.
Outside, when I look at the huge walls of the stadium, I almost feel like crossing myself.
For more information visit tickets.manutd.com.
My seat for the match is a comfortable one just outside, in the north-west corner of the stadium, which is packed to the rafters for this match against Tottenham.
At the start of the match the atmosphere is electric, with the Stretford End fans loud.
But, as United lose control of the game, the atmosphere is cut.
However, our waitresses are still beaming as they distribute red wine after the game and rocky road to aid in the recovery process.
We may have lost, but I still consider this experience a great victory.
For more information visit moments.marriottbonvoy.com/en-us/moments/collection/831. Club legends make appearances in select Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences.