Man Utd have been presented with two options as they look to redevelop their stadium – proceed with Old Trafford’s upgrade plans or move to a completely new stadium
Man Utd could leave Old Trafford after 112 years (Image: Getty Images)
Man Utd could leave Old Trafford as part of plans to build a new £2billion stadium.
Red Devils fans in recent years have taken issue with the neglect shown towards their iconic stadium by the club’s Glazer ownership. The Theatre of Dreams is severely outdated and in need of a major revamp when compared to some of the stadiums used by Europe’s other elite sides.
The Glazer family, who put the club up for sale in November, have finally appointed consultants Legends International and Populous to aid them in formulating stadium plans. And the Daily Mail claims United have now been presented with two options.
The most drastic option is to build a new £2bn stadium, allowing United to carry on playing home games at Old Trafford while a modern, state-of-the-art ground is built.
That would increase their stadium capacity from the current 74,000. Though the club are understood to be more concerned with modernising and increasing the size of their lucrative corporate hospitality facilities on matchdays.
A new stadium would also cost United £1bn more than the second option – to simply upgrade Old Trafford, which has served as the club’s home for the past 112 years.
The stadium is in need of £1bn worth of investment (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The club’s Glazer ownership have been presented with two options (Image: PA)
However, any decision by the club in relation to a new stadium, or even permanent transfers, will be on hold until its uncertain ownership situation is solved.
The Glazers are believed to be looking for offers in the region of £8bn for their sale, having bought United for £790m in 2005. That is considerably more than the mammoth £4.2bn sum Todd Boehly paid for Chelsea last summer.
One potential buyer is Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns chemicals company Ineos and is a well-known fan of the 20-time English top flight champions. Ratcliffe has previously been linked with a takeover but, despite being urged by fans to buy the club last year, played down the calls.
