Will Manchester United have a new stadium? What does this mean for the long term of Old Trafford?And how much will all this cost? Sky Sports takes a look at the key questions. . .
The Daily Telegraph reported in February that Sir Jim Ratcliffe wanted to create a new stadium for United, which has spent the last 114 years at Old Trafford, and which has a capacity of around 74,000 spectators.
The plan, according to the report, would see United create a “Wembley of the North” that rivals the 90,000-seat National Stadium in north London.
Billionaire Ratcliffe, who founded the INEOS Group and acquired a 25% stake in United for £1. 2 billion at the end of 2023, created the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, which he chaired. Other members of the current organization include Lord Coe. , Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
“I told Sir Jim Ratcliffe at one of his meetings and he had the feeling that for the biggest football club in the world the surprise effect simply doesn’t exist. I’m okay with that,” said United We Stand editor Andy Mitten at Sky Sports News in February.
According to the Telegraph, Ratcliffe opposes the idea of moving the club, but believes that fans will accept the stadium move if they remain on the same territory.
United owns around 100 acres of land around Old Trafford, 43 of which are in a condition to be developed. Around 25 hectares are said to be unused.
As a component of the Future of Football series, Jim Heverin, principal at Zaha Hadid Architects, said the way Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool have renovated their own stadiums, rather than building new ones, is the style United deserves to follow.
“At Old Trafford you would expect them to think about a conversion and not go elsewhere. Look at what Liverpool have done with those small tweaks and improvements. It looks like it’s going to be long-term and not all new stadiums,” he said.
“I know why Everton are moving, but it’s more like the old in new stadiums, especially when you already have something that’s an advantage. “
Sky Sports’ Neville, who is part of Old Trafford’s team of regeneration riders, has made the desire for facilities at Old Trafford very clear. “Maybe what Liverpool have done is the way to go,” he said at the end of last year.
“If funds are lacking, get one or two stands, probably world-class, and the other two will stand for the next five to ten years. That would be a plan. “
Oh, very much. ” Old Trafford is the front line of a chant that rival club enthusiasts have used to mock United this season.
The reduction of criteria on United’s pitch is well documented; the most recent example was Sunday’s loss to Arsenal, where stadium spaces were flooded after a storm and water also fell to the roof.
Other videos have circulated online in recent years showing parts of the ground in ruins and while it is the largest club stadium in England, it has not been decided that it will be one of the venues for Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland.
“The main stand needs to be remodeled, the roof needs to be remodeled, but the exterior of the stadium also wants to be remodeled,” Mitten added. “In other spaces it looks a bit red and at Old Trafford there are basic problems that are so big. . Legroom is famous in the stadium.
“The design of the stadium has changed since it first evolved and the legroom remains the same today.
“It’s a beautiful stadium, Old Trafford, but I’m not in favour of the ceiling because I think it’s too low. Old Trafford doesn’t get smaller, it gets bigger. “
Neville has been very vocal about his need to improve the amenities at Old Trafford. “I’ve heard that only a few hundred million pounds are being spent at Old Trafford. This is far from enough,” he said at the end of the last year.
“I’d spend £200 million on the old stadium and make two parts of Old Trafford surely stunning. It’s vital that you’re proud of where you play and Old Trafford is an amazing stadium. “
The last time the club carried out primary paintings at Old Trafford was in May 2006, when 8,000 seats were added in the north-west and north-east quadrants of the stadium.
This work was approved before the Glazer family took over the club in June 2005, meaning no work has been done to renovate Old Trafford since United’s majority shareholders took control 19 years ago.
Mitten believes Manchester United enthusiasts are divided on how to renovate Old Trafford, but adds that money and prices will come into play.
“From what I can see, Manchester United enthusiasts are divided on the resolve to redevelop or build a new stadium,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to see some stadiums expand in Europe, like the one in Marseille. I’ve been in favour of a reshuffle but I’m open to listening, as are the other fans. If the new expansion ends up costing more than a new stadium, then the debate moves to another area.
“Some enthusiasts like the concept of a new stadium. I like what Real Madrid have done and what Barcelona are doing, but I’m absolutely against the concept of building a new stadium.
“I’m just in favor of a remodel. For me, Old Trafford just wants to be extended. Old Trafford is a brilliant stadium, but it’s not the most productive stadium in the world. “
Staying on the same pitch is a decision Tottenham made when they built their new stadium. Spurs moved from their old home on White Hart Lane in 2016, spent roughly three seasons at Wembley, before returning to their new 61,000-seat home in early 2019.
One of the problems is that Old Trafford is situated between a railway track and a canal, which makes logistics difficult. While Brentford managed to complete a similar project for their Gtech Community Stadium in 2020, their stadium is much smaller and only holds 17,000 people. public.
The renovation of the Aviva Stadium, located on Lansdowne Road in Dublin, also caused disruption on the railway line, with a line running along the west side of the stadium. This renovation was completed in 2010.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the Old Trafford extension would cost United around £800 million, while a new ground would cost between £1. 5 billion and £2 billion.
Tottenham’s new stadium cost the club £1. 2 billion, according to Spurs owner Daniel Levy in an interview in November 2020.
As part of his £1. 2 billion deal to buy a stake in United, Ratcliffe is investing £239m in the club to help bolster the club’s infrastructure. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim, who was competing with Ratcliffe in the United race, was willing to devote £1. 27 billion to the same work.
It is possible that United are simply lobbying the government to fund part of the stadium allocation as part of the “race to the top” commitment, according to the Telegraph.
By the time United embark on the Old Trafford progression, a Labour government may already be in place and party leader Sir Keir Starmer may be a guest at United’s match against Arsenal, meeting with Old Trafford’s regeneration group.
Greater Manchester Mayor Burnham said earlier this year: “Whatever they [Ratcliffe and INEOS] want, we will facilitate and we will be there to make sure the club is fit to face the future. “
But if those demands aren’t granted, then the only way United can get to this level is if Ratcliffe increases his £239m commitment, the Glazers suddenly invest in infrastructure for the first time or the club borrows more money.
United already has around £969 million in debt, according to data from March 2023. So where will it come from?
Mark McAdam, Sky Sports News reporter:
“Man Utd want to win EuroMillions five weeks in a row to solve all their problems. One attractive thing on Sunday is that there was a small assembly in Manchester to have this ‘Wembley of the North’.
“This is INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plan: to build a new stadium and make it a focal point of English football, as well as the home of Manchester United.
“Sir Keir Starmer was involved in the game [against Arsenal] and is the Labour leader, while [Greater Manchester mayor] Andy Burnham is concerned about the structure of the new stadium and the renovation of Old Trafford.
“This roof has been leaking for several years, so even if they’re new photos from yesterday, it’s not new. It’s a scenario that’s been going on for several years and that enthusiasts have complained about, but the Glazers haven’t. . The constant.
“It’s a challenge that has to be faced, because it’s not usual for fans to pay all this money to be able to see the team. The stadium will take several years, but it’s the team that wants to rejuvenate right now. “
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