Manchester hopes to be the venue for a semi-final, quarter final and group games should England be chosen.

 

It is competing against 15 other cities for the honour and with two world class stadiums and clubs it presents a strong case, officials believe.

 

Old Trafford, the home of Premiership champions Manchester United, has a capacity of 76,212, making it the biggest club ground in Britain and has hosted several major matches, including the 2003 Champions League final between AC Milan and Juventus.

 

It also hosted hosted three group games, a quarter-final and a semi-final at Euro 96, when the Czech Republic beat France on penalties.

 

The City of Manchester Stadium (pictured) was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and converted to a football arena for Manchester City afterwards with a capacity of 47,726.

 

It became the 50th stadium in this country to host an England international football match when England played Japan there in June 2004 and then was chosen to stage the 2008 UEFA Cup Final between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg.

 

Unfortunately, though, the match was marred by serious crowd trouble in the city centre before, during and after the game.

 

Robson was there today to launch Manchester's bid with Mike Summerbee, a former Manchester City player.

 

Robson, who captained Manchester United, said: "As a player and a fan, nothing gets you excited like the World Cup.

 

"To host one in Manchester would be amazing.

 

"We have some of the most passionate fans anywhere in the world and you would struggle to find a more welcoming city.

 

"It's impossible to think of an English World Cup without games in one of the most famous footballing cities in the world."

 

Manchester's bid has now been submitted to the Football Association, with Manchester United, City, Manchester, Salford and Trafford Council, Marketing Manchester and GMPTE working together on the document.

 

A delegation from the FA will visit Manchester next week to inspect facilities and possible fanzones.

 

Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council said: "If anything the city showed last year its resilience in a situation in football that no other city has ever experienced.

 

"Since then we've hosted major international sporting events, including football events.

 

"We did our own inquiry and clearly we have learnt the lessons from that experience.

 

"As far as Uefa was concerned the final was a successful event.

 

"Euro '96 is probably more comparable and provided a fantastic atmosphere, despite of course the IRA bomb going off in the middle of it."

 

Munich, a host city in 2006 when Germany staged the World Cup, saw an economic benefit of £80 million and officials believe that Manchester would enjoy a similar windfall.

 

Summerbee said: "Manchester is an incredibly friendly place.

 

"It's a northern city and the people are very welcoming.

 

"They support every sport.

 

"Hosting the World Cup here would be incredible, very exciting.

 

"Every sporting event that has been put on has been a success."

 

The other English cities and towns bidding to host matches are Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Sunderland.

 

England is one of nine candidates to host the 2018 World Cup.

 

The rivals are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, United States, and joint bids from Holland and Belgium and Spain and Portugal.

 

Qatar and South Korea are bidding for just the 2022 World Cup.

 

Both events are due to awarded by FIFA at a meeting in December 2010.