United Make A U-Turn On Plans For Old Trafford Amid New Stadium Talks
Manchester United look set to change plans, and fully demolish Old Trafford if plans to construct a new stadium, potentially costing £2 billion, go ahead.
Our iconic stadium could face demolition if Sir Jim Ratcliffe decides to create what is being dubbed the ‘Wembley of the North’, according to a report by the Daily Mail.
The stadium project is high on the priority list for United, with a task force consisting of the likes of Gary Neville and Seb Coe, among others, in place.
The task force is overseeing the redevelopment of the stadium, whether that be a regenerated Old Trafford or a new stadium build, under the leadership of Seb Coe.
In the summer, there were suggestions of downsizing Old Trafford to 30,000 seats if a new, separate stadium were built, but the latest indications suggest Old Trafford could be entirely demolished to make way for a new 100,000-seater stadium.
The Redevelopment of Old Trafford is ‘Unlikely to Work’
Initial plans to reduce the size of Old Trafford were aimed at preserving the club’s heritage, while also providing the women’s and youth teams with their own on-site stadium.
However, as reported by the Mail, this approach is now considered unfeasible. The project would be complex, and could still carry a hefty price tag of hundreds of millions.
Additionally, there are concerns that a 30,000-capacity stadium for the women’s and youth teams would be excessive, given current attendance figures.
Instead, United’s leaders now favour building a smaller, 15,000-seat venue that can be expanded as interest in women’s football and the academy grows.
Ultimately, Old Trafford’s fate rests on whether Ratcliffe and INEOS proceed with their vision for a new, state-of-the-art stadium for the club.
Ratcliffe acknowledges that private investment will be required, as the club is reluctant to increase debt or pass the cost onto supporters.
Public funding for the stadium itself is also unlikely, with potential investment more likely to focus on the surrounding area.