FA's David Gill to stand for Fifa vice-president

David Gill spent 10 years as chief executive at Manchester United

Football Association vice-chairman David Gill has changed his mind and says he will stand for Britain's vice-presidency of Fifa next year.

The former Manchester United chief executive, 57, is already a Uefa executive committee member and had said he would not stand for the post.

But he now believes he can combine the Uefa and Fifa roles.

"I believe there is an opportunity, if elected, to use the Fifa position to make a real difference," Gill said.

He faces competition for the position from Scottish FA president Campbell Ogilvie and Welsh FA president Trefor Lloyd Hughes.

"Having sounded out many people across the game, including fellow board members at Manchester United, the FA and Uefa, I would hope to make a positive contribution and use my candidacy to drive a debate for continued reform," Gill added.

He built his reputation as a strong ally of Sir Alex Ferguson at United, before stepping down in June 2013 to concentrate on roles with the FA and Uefa.

An election for the Fifa role will take place at the Uefa congress in Vienna in March, with all members voting from a list of candidates put forward by the four British associations.

The vacancy has become available because incumbent Jim Boyce of Northern Ireland is retiring in May and has said he has no interest in standing again.