Following the completion of the first recommendations from the club’s taskforce for a new stadium, Manchester United is allegedly making plans for what will happen to Old Trafford.
With a capacity of 74,310, Old Trafford has served as United’s home since it opened in 1910. However, during the past few years, some stadium components have deteriorated, and many supporters have accused the Glazer family of underfunding the stadium’s renovation.
There were leaks in some areas of the stadium’s roof during the previous season, as evidenced by the video that surfaced following the 1-0 loss to Arsenal in April. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the recently appointed minority co-owner, agreed to form a taskforce in March to explore the possibilities of either completely restoring Old Trafford.
The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, the chief executive of Trafford Council, and United great Gary Neville make up the taskforce. Lord Sebastian Coe serves as its chairman.
The taskforce has already, according to The Athletic, made the preliminary determination that a brand-new stadium with 100,000 seats have to be constructed next to the current Old Trafford location. It’s been reported that Ratcliffe would rather build the new stadium from the ground up than restore Old Trafford as it is.
Under such an agreement, United would be able to play at the current stadium as construction on the “new Old Trafford” continues. Additionally, it is said that Ratcliffe intends to develop a “major economic and social hub” that will connect MediaCity and include a campus-style structure with retail establishments erected around the stadium.
Nonetheless, the taskforce has a number of matters to take into account. One concern is reportedly cost, since renovations are estimated to cost about half as much as new construction, which comes in at roughly £2 billion.
To finance the stadium, Ratcliffe would have to weigh his choices, and before anything is finalized, any agreement would need to go through community participation and consultation.
The 71-year-old asked the previous Conservative government for backing in March when he suggested using taxpayer funds to partially finance the stadium. But the plan was turned down.
“People in the north pay their taxes like people in the south pay their taxes,” he said to the Manchester Evening News. However, where is the national football stadium located? It is situated in the south. Where is the rugby national stadium located? It is situated in the south.
Where is the national tennis stadium located? It is situated in the south. The national concert stadium is where? It’s down south, that’s the O2. The Olympic Village is somewhere. It is located in the southern region.”
