Manchester United have been given the green light to install floodlights at the Aon Training Complex, after Trafford council granted the Premier League outfit the necessary permission.
Louis van Gaal had previously expressed his interest in having his players train at the same time as their fixtures, and was surprised to found out Carrington did not include the relevant facilities and equipment under the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes.
With the players formerly unable to train during nights, despite often featuring in mid-week, evening encounters, initial complications were expected due to the fears of the bat population surrounding the ground.
Nevertheless, the Trafford council were able to look over their cautions when allowing the football club permission to install floodlights.
An official application from the Trafford council read: “The benefit of the floodlighting is that it will allow for greater use of the training pitches, particularly during the winter months.
“This is essential in enabling the football club to compete with other clubs, both at domestic and international levels. The floodlighting will enhance the usability and function of the training centre, further helping to maintain its world class status.
The Greater Manchester sports training facility cost an estimated £60 million to build between 1999 and 2002, and contains 12 grass pitches, as well as a further two made of synthetic turf. Recent developments to the facilities saw a medical centre and sports science department added in 2013.
The Aon Training Complex was initially built after Sir Alex Ferguson felt The Cliff, the current training facilities, were inadequate for use of a top tier club.
