Sir Alex Ferguson is backing the congestion charge. The United boss said the promise of billions of pounds in return for the charge was a `once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put Greater Manchester in the premier league for public transport'.
He urged people to vote Yes in the all-postal referendum, which closes on December 11.
But he will not get to vote, because he lives in Cheshire - only residents of Greater Manchester were issued with ballot packs last week.
The region's 10 councils are bidding for more than £2.75bn from the government's Transport Innovation Fund, including £318m to set up the peak-hour, weekday charge. Within that total, £1.2bn would be a loan, paid back over 30 years out of profits from the charge.
In a letter to the M.E.N, Sir Alex writes: "Every season, we are hosts to visiting fans from all over the country, and . . . we welcome thousands of foreign supporters too.
"Most of these visitors use public transport and we want their visit to be a good advert for the region. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression."
Sir Alex concluded: "The TIF proposals offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put Greater Manchester in the premier league for public transport - so don't score an own goal.
"Vote `yes' for safe, fast and convenient match-day travel, and make sure all Greater Manchester people get the public transport they need and deserve. That is why I am saying `yes' to this campaign."
Supporters of the TIF bid hope the intervention by Sir Alex will prove a major boost to their campaign.
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