The world’s richest football club, Manchester United, has teamed up with US gaming company Las Vegas Sands to develop an entertainment complex on land adjacent to Old Trafford stadium.

The planned development would include a five-star hotel, restaurants, a health club and a sports bar as well as a regional-sized casino.

The scheme also includes proposals to provide a new Metrolink station and plans for the wider regeneration of the area around the stadium to create opportunities for new leisure and entertainment businesses.

Trafford Council’s Executive has agreed in principle to support the joint proposal and has made an initial bid for a licence for a regional-scale casino in Trafford. Under the terms of the new Gambling Act however, only one regional casino will initially be permitted in the UK.

“The council has requested that the plans are worked up into a more specific proposal and that Manchester United and Las Vegas Sands carry out the fullest possible consultation with local people, businesses other interested parties,” said leader of the council, Susan Fildes.

The football club’s commercial director, Andy Anson, added that the developers were looking at how the scheme would change the dynamics of the site and how it would affect fans on matchdays as well as considering the social issues associated with gambling.