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Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs have entered into talks to buy a non-league football club, the M.E.N. can reveal.

It is understood the former United teammates are in discussions with officials at Salford City FC with a view to a takeover that could see the pair set up an academy at the Moor Lane club.

Sources close to Neville and Giggs, who remains at the Reds as a player-coach, said the move was at a 'early stage'.

But we can also reveal that a board meeting at the Evo-Stik First Division North side took place on Saturday night at which an overwhelming majority voted in favour of welcoming a potential bid.

Nobody from the club wanted to comment on the situation but it is thought many are excited by the prospect of Neville, an England coach and respected Sky Sports pundit, taking the reins along with local lad Giggs.

Some believe that the prospect of the club entering the Football League under the pair's stewardship is a realistic goal.

Salford City are currently in the eighth tier and would need four promotions to make that happen.

It is understood that, should a deal be agreed, building work would start on a new £560,000 stand and clubhouse that the club has already obtained planning permission for but is struggling to fund.

More renovations would no doubt follow at the sprawling, council-owned complex that has hosted a variety of sports including horse racing and speedway.

A number of meetings between the pair and the club, nicknamed the Ammies, have already taken place.

If the deal was to go through it is anticipated Neville and Giggs would set up an academy aimed at nurturing youth talent with a view to some of their intake gaining experience in the first team.

The proposal would be the latest joint ventures between Neville, who was born in Bury and still lives in the area, and Giggs who lives in Worsley.

Building work is currently ongoing on Hotel Football, a hotel and entertainment complex opposite Old Trafford while Cafe Football opened in London last year.

Neville, 38, played 602 times for United in a glittering, trophy-laden Old Trafford career that spanned almost 20 years.

Giggs, 40, is another graduate of the Reds' famous 'Class of '92' and played in their 2-0 win over Cardiff City on January 28.

The details have emerged shortly after former team-mate and close friend David Beckham announced he is to create a team in Miami to compete in America's MLS.