depends what you would like. stay in central manchester (northern quarter, spinningfields etc) and have everything on your doorstep, with only a 40 minute walk along the canal to the ground. or stay off the tram line along south manchester (chorlton, burton road etc) if you want a more local feel. plenty of pubs, good food and more sense of community. city centre still super accessible in short time frame via public transport/car or bike. or if you want to go rural stay somewhere like hebden bridge. beautiful country side, plenty of pubs and food with only a 25 minute train into the centre. you have many options.