MANCHESTER UNITED took another step towards their aim of moving to a new 100,000 capacity ‘Wembley of the North’ this week.
And new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants an answer by the end of this year on whether the plan to build a new £2billion home in the shadow of Old Trafford is to go ahead.
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That eye-watering sum is around double the cost outlined to redevelop the outdated ‘Theatre of Dreams’ – leaving some fans scratching their heads.
After all, other clubs who have moved into shiny new homes recently have hardly been inundated with trophies for their new cabinets.
The financial burden it puts on the club inevitably impacts the amount of money spent on the team in most cases.
And the start to the season for Erik ten Hag’s team has led some to wonder if all that cash would be better spent elsewhere.
While some fans are desperate to see shiny new additions to Ten Hag’s starting XI, a state-of-the-art stadium is far more important.
Ratcliffe is convinced a move away from their historic home is the right option – and the club are backing his vision.
The belief is that it would help cement their place as the top club in the country and beyond – and ultimately help to attract the world’s best players.
And the ambitious scheme would be something to benefit the whole community as well as United and their supporters.
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FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
The latest news over recent days has seen the Red Devils enter into a partnership with Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to work on how he area can be regenerated.
They will assess the ways a new stadium could act as the catalyst for residential sports, business, leisure and entertainment around the Trafford Wharfside area.
That would help to fund the project because raising £2bn will be no mean feat – even when you have the kind of money that Ratcliffe and the Glazer family have in their pockets.
United insist they are not looking for hand-outs but believe the new complex would provide opportunities for public-private partnerships.
They would also look into investment or sponsorship from the private sector – which could include selling the naming rights, although not before the fans have been consulted.
United have looked at similar projects around the world – notably the SoFI stadium in Los Angeles where they played against Arsenal in pre-season.
An area known as Hollywood Park has been built around the stadium – which houses the 6000 seater YouTube Theater and American Airlines Plaza.
Meanwhile the Kia Forum and the Intuit Dome sit on the outskirts and all those brought in cash to help fund the project.
In addition, United have kept a close eye on the Chicago Bears’ plan for a new home on the city’s waterfront.
They have studied arenas on tour in Australia, travelled to the Bernabeu in Madrid and visited Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
More than ever, they feel a new Old Trafford would be unique.
The club own around 100 acres of under-used land in the area around their current home which would be used for the new stadium.
That could be used for housing, leisure, business and education under the new project – while a ‘Stadium District’ could be linked to Media City – on the other side of Salford Quays – to create an economic and social hub.
Meanwhile they would continue to play in their current stadium while the work is carried out – with the aim of completing it by 2030.
Eventually the historic venue – which has been their home for 114 years – would be downsized and continue to be used for hosting academy and women’s games.
The alternative, of course, is to patch up Old Trafford, which has been allowed to slowly deteriorate under the Glazer ownership.
That would involve finding around £1 billion – with much of that coming out of the pockets of Ratcliffe, the Glazers and the supporters.
Some would say that is throwing good money after bad – and the feeling at the club is it is time for something new.
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What we know about the ‘new’ Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
They plan to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a second venue.
They will scale it down to a 30,000-seater that can then be used for the women’s team and academy matches.
That would mean the history remains with statues and the Munich clock and memorial plaque all most likely staying in their current positions.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.