Michael Knighton has arrived in Carlisle ahead of his first public appearance in the city for 19 years.

The former United owner will face questions from a sell-out audience at the Old Fire Station tonight.

It sees the controversial ex-United supremo back in the public eye in Carlisle for the first time since his turbulent decade-long Blues tenure ended in 2002.

Knighton will be interviewed on stage about the good and bad times of his reign by Paul Musgrave, who was one half of the band So What, whose songs Blue Army and United accompanied Carlisle's trips to Wembley under Knighton in 1995 and 1997.

The 70-year-old is donating his appearance fee to the Motor Neurone Disease Association in Cumbria in memory of former United and Workington Reds favourite Tony Hopper.

Knighton told the News & Star today: “Tony Hopper was one of the nicest human beings you could meet.

“He came through the youth system, broke into the first team and was there all through my time at the club.

“Tony might have told you himself that he wasn’t going to be the greatest footballer – that didn’t matter. He gave you 250 per cent in everything he did.

“A lovely, lovely human being. For me to make a little contribution like this, I’m delighted to do it, in Tony’s memory.

Tonight's event is billed as A Game of Two Halves.

It will include memories of Knighton's involvement at Manchester United and the successful start to his Blues reign in the early to mid-1990s.

Musgrave says Knighton will also be asked about the troubled times that followed, including bizarre takeover episodes invoving Mamcarr and curry-house waiter Stephen Brown, along with other moments from the period that made him a deeply controversial figure among fans.

Knighton said he will be prepared to answer any question tonight.

He said: “To be back here is absolutely marvellous.

“People must always have their platform, and the right to question. Much better to get it from the horse’s mouth than third or fourth-hand from a newspaper.

“In life, there are always two sides to a story. All I ask of people is: don’t just listen to one side. Make your judgement when you listen to two. If your views don’t change, that’s fine.

“But at least listen to two sides, then you can make a value judgement which has credibility.

“That’s what democracy and freedom is all about. I respect that.

“It’s an opportunity to say – ask me anything you like, and I will tell you my understanding of those events, and where I was coming from.”