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Salford City Reds have confirmed a breakaway 'Manchester United' run by rebel fans opposed to Malcolm Glazer could play their games at the Willows.

The rebels opposed to the American businessman have hatched plans for a new club which they expect to attract thousands of disenchanted United fans and hope to make use of the ground when the Reds move to their new stadium at Barton in 2007.

And a Reds spokesman says it is a 'real possibility' they could even use the new 20,000-seater facility if the club takes off and enters a team into the North West Counties League. The club, with the working title FC United, is a worst-case scenario for fans fearful Glazer would increase ticket prices or even sell Old Trafford.

Adam Thomas, managing director of Red City Developments set up to handle the proposals for a new rugby stadium, confirmed FC United could play there or at the Willows.

He said: "It is a real possibility any break-away Manchester United club could
play at either stadium. With rugby league now played in the summer and football in the winter it shouldn't be a problem.

"There are no firm plans at the moment and no decision has been made but we won't rule anything out and we would seriously look at it.

"We hope to retain the Willows as a training facility when we move to the new stadium but that is not final."

When asked if FC United's membership could potentially buy the Willows, Mr
Thomas said: "We would not rule anything out but our current thoughts are to keep it as a training facility."

Mark Longden, from the Independent Manchester United Supporters'
Association, said: "The Willows was suggested as a possibility because it is the nearest sports stadium to Old Trafford and will be surplus to requirements when the rugby club move grounds. United also have traditional and deep-running links with the city of Salford and a large fan base in the area."