Before there was Beckingham Palace, there was a more modest four-bedroom house in Worsley.
Having the most renowned football teams in the world in our city means some of the wealthiest footballers live in our region.
The ‘Golden Triangle’ in Cheshire, which includes Wilmslow, Knutsford, Alderley Edge and Prestbury, has long been a draw for Premier League players wanting to put down roots in style.
Some neighbourhoods in Salford have also been magnets to footballers.
But as players come and go with every passing season, their plush homes go on the market at staggering prices, giving us a chance to nosey inside.
They usually boast lavish interiors with ultra-modern kitchens and bathrooms, with huge lounge areas and extravagant trimmings like indoor pools and cinema rooms.
Here, we take a look back at just some of the amazing homes that used to belong to United stars:
David Beckham
David Beckham’s former home in Hazlehurst Road, Worsley
Before there was Beckingham Palace, there was a more modest four-bedroom house in Worsley.
David Beckham bought the house on Hazlehurst Road in the nineties – the first of many properties that the multi-millionaire would buy.
It was thought that he moved to the property to be close to his friend and fellow United star Ryan Giggs who lived nearby.
When it was put on the market in 2014, estate agents Edward Mellor said they expected it to sell for between £375,000 and £400,000.
They described it as a ‘four bedroom detached house with a special history.’
Angel Di Maria
Di Maria signed for Manchester United in a then-British record deal worth £59.7 million, but left a year later in 2015 to join Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentine footballer’s Prestbury mansion went up for sale at the time of his departure for a staggering £4.1m.
The advert on Rightmove at the time of the sale read: “Magnificent mansion set in well-manicured grounds in the heart of Prestbury on a private road.”
The luxury six-bedroom property was lavishly decorated, with modern fixtures and fittings throughout.
It offers an indoor swimming pool, that also comes with a sauna and jacuzzi, with an impressive light feature on the ceiling.
The home also boasts a plush kitchen and family room, with French doors leading to a huge garden.
There’s also a large sitting room with a drop-down screen, a kid’s TV room, a playroom, an office, a gym, on top of a two-bedroom apartment over the garage.
Cristiano Ronaldo
During the course of Cristiano Ronaldo’s stint for Manchester United, he lived in two Cheshire mansions.
From 2006-2009, he resided in a three-storey Alderley Edge home that came with an impressive open-plan kitchen and living area.
Nine years after he left the club it was put on the market for £3.25 million.
Estate agents at the time described the property as being ‘in an elevated prime location’ with stunning views.
It boasts an indoor swimming pool, steam room, jacuzzi, gym and cinema room, along with five large bathrooms.
The property was also described as in an ‘excellent location for Alderley Edge village centre, where you will find a fantastic range of shopping boutiques, restaurants and bars.’
Before then, Ronaldo lived in Woodford, Cheshire, in another million-pound home.
Marouane Fellaini
After Marouane Fellaini left Manchester United for China, his £2.2m pad went up for sale.
He lived in an immaculate six-bedroom home, tucked away on the outskirts of the Salford village of Roe Green.
The refurbished property, set within its own gated grounds, even has its own personal barbershop inside.
The home, in Greenleach Lane, boasts a sizeable indoor swimming pool with leisure facilities including a jacuzzi, steam, spa room and private gym.
It has a modern minimalist decor throughout.
Another former footballing resident of this plush pad was World Cup winner Alan Ball – who managed Manchester City in the mid-1990s.
Ryan Giggs
As one of football’s biggest names, it’s no surprise that Ryan Giggs’ old pad went up for sale last year for a whopping £3.5m.
Located on Chatsworth Road, Worsley, it was one of the most expensive homes in the area.
The five-bedroom property, surrounded by woodland and Worsley Golf Course, boasts its very own cinema room and bar.
There’s an impressive atrium entrance hall, lounge, kitchen, family room, dining room, utility and gym, which leads through to the indoor heated pool and steam room.
On the first-floor level, there are five double bedrooms with en-suites.
There is also a gallery landing/office with a balcony providing a private and secluded outdoor seating area.
Paul Scholes
Class of ’92 legend Paul Scholes previously lived in a mansion in Grasscroft, Oldham.
The stunning pad, complete with swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym, six bedrooms and stunning woodland views went on the market for an eye-watering £3.85m.
The luxurious home also boasts its own football pitch, putting green, spa and cinema as well as seven bedrooms, six bathrooms and reception rooms on three floors.
Phil Neville
Two properties belonging to Phil Neville are up for sale currently.
The former Manchester United and England midfielder has put his stunning six-bedroom residence in Hilltop, Hale on the market for £5.25 million, where he lives with wife Julie.
The detached family home is spread across four floors with six double bedrooms and six newly renovated bath and shower rooms.
It comes with a large games room, which boasts a table tennis table, pool table, air hockey table and putting machine, decorated with an array of framed shirts from the world of football.
You can read more information on the extensive property here.
Meanwhile, his £3.5 million Beetham Tower apartment is on the market again, although he hasn’t lived there.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
