Manchester United has teamed up with Village Cinemas International (VCI) to launch the first Red Cinema within the Lowry Designer Outlet shopping centre in Salford Quays, Manchester.

The £1.75m Cinema of Dreams is due to open by the early autumn – in time for the next season of blockbuster film premieres, including the final Matrix instalment – and is being funded by VCI, the Emerson Group – owner of the Lowery – and promotional partners.

The cinema aims to build on the Manchester United brand and heritage while providing an entertainment experience and a football rewards programme – including exclusive value-added retail deals on film tickets, concessions and merchandise, invitations to premieres and private film screenings and opportunities to win tickets to London and Hollywood premieres.

Special football offers are set to include the chance to watch Manchester United players train, to win Manchester United match day tickets and merchandise, VIP visits to Old Trafford, replays of classic games and Sunday morning Premiership screening specials for family audiences.

VCI, a division of the global entertainment company Village Roadshow, have also agreed on a brand alliance deal for the new cinema with Coca-Cola and an alliance agreement with the Emerson Group.

Manchester United managing director, David Gill, said: “Given that we have millions of fans, we are always looking at ways to extend the Manchester United experience to them.

“Red Cinema will do exactly that and we’re particularly pleased for our hometown fans that its first appearance will be in the shadows of Old Trafford.”

David Inches, creative director of The Lowry Outlet, said: The arrival of Red Cinema will attract even more visitors to the existing 3.6 million we receive every year. Without doubt this is the biggest convergence between retail and leisure in the UK. Manchester United and VCI have chosen the best possible site – the home of British football, Manchester.”