One of the ultimate sporting experiences: my afternoon in an Old Trafford VIP suite watching Manchester United play, with champagne, gourmet food and football legends dropping by for a chat

Forget turnstiles.

I’m at Old Trafford football stadium to watch Manchester United play – and my seat is accessed by a private lift.

I say chair. It’s actually a suite – the Marriott Hotels M Club Suite, which I’m discovering is one of the most incredible experiences in sport, Manchester United fan or not.

And it’s an experience that money can’t buy. Access to the suite is auctioned off as a Marriott Bonvoy “moment” – and alone Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Points are accepted currency.

Full disclosure: I am a fan of the Red Devils. But the last time I saw them play at Old Trafford was against Middlesbrough in May 1997, a 3-3 draw despite the best efforts of Gary Neville, who I witnessed as he scored his first senior goal, kicking the ball against the back of the net smashed off the edge of the box from a magical Eric Cantona pass.

Ted Thornhill of MailOnline Travel experiences the VIP Marriott Hotels M Club Suite at Old Trafford (above)

Above – the welcome champagne

Today’s result is not to United’s taste.

But I’m (almost) too fascinated by the atmosphere and the VIP treatment to care.

This private lift is located in the legendary Stretford End, where I am vetted by a dedicated security team before being led by an usher to the M Club Suite.

Inside there is the atmosphere of a luxurious hotel lounge. Wood paneling adorns the wall, chic chairs occupy the floor space, cheerful waitresses float around – and there’s a bottle of Paul Goerg champagne on ice. And more where that came from.

There are complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks in the fridge and there is also a bottle of red Châteauneuf du Pape ready, alongside portions of chicken liver parfait with onion and grape chutney, charcuterie and crispy sourdough, the first of several dishes we serve. are offered.

Steaks, Bengali lamb curry and rocky road desserts follow. (Although shrimp sandwiches are notable by their absence.)

Ted describes the 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 stopped by for a chat

Guests of the M Club Suite are treated to multiple courses of gourmet cuisine, including steaks and curry

Then the stars arrive to say hello.

Albert Morgan, the kitman during the 1999 treble win, Micky Thomas, who scored 15 goals for the Reds between 1978 and 1981, Lou Macari, who made more than 400 appearances for United, and former defender Wes Brown, who played more than 230 played matches under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Holy mother everything legendary.

I’m stunned when Wes casually sits down across from me and starts chatting happily about this, that and the other. It’s not long before we’re swapping stories about our experiences on holiday in Africa, with Wes describing the heartbreaking time he met a pack of gorillas whilst trekking in Rwanda.

The view from Ted’s seat during the match – United vs Tottenham

OLD TRAFFORD STADIUM TOUR

It feels like a pilgrimage.

I’m at the Old Trafford stadium, home of Manchester United, for a tour.

Holy ground for a Manchester United fan like me.

But I’d say this experience is worth it for any sports fan, given how impressive the stadium is – the largest of any football club in the country – and how much remarkable football history has taken place here.

Ted experiences a tour of the stadium. He is pictured above in the players’ tunnel

Our official guide is full of beans and factual nuggets – and I’m treated to bonus insights from ex-player Dion Dublin.

He is here to show MailOnline around. But the public can book “legend” tours with other former stars.

We get to see the old players’ tunnel and the new players’ tunnel and hang out in the dressing room, where Dion reveals that former manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘hairdryer’ treatment was not a myth (see video).

Dion also recalls the moment Sir Alex persuaded him to sign for the club – by walking onto the pitch and letting the sheer majesty of the stadium do the work for him.

The tour group hangs out in the players’ locker room

Dion says Sir Alex led him to the center circle and said: ‘How do you feel about playing football here?’

Dion adds: ‘I signed a blank contract, I didn’t know what I would get financially.’

After this we are led through the old tunnel to the field, where my group stands mesmerized by the scale of the so-called ‘Theatre of Dreams’.

After soaking up the atmosphere in the press room, exit through an epic gift shop.

When I look outside at the enormous walls of the stadium, I almost feel like crossing myself.

For more information visit tickets.manutd.com.

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My seat for the match is a comfortable spot 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 and the Stretford End fans are in good spirits.

But now that United are losing control of the game, the atmosphere is disappearing.

Our waitresses are still beaming, handing out red wine and rocky roads after the game to aid the recovery process.

We may have lost, but I still consider this experience a huge victory.

For more information visit moments.marriottbonvoy.com/en-us/moments/collection/831. Club legends will appear during select Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences.