Man United Unveil Plans to Build New 100,000-seater StadiumLondon, 11 Mar (ONA) — Manchester United have announced plans for a
new 100,000-seater stadium that co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said would be
the “world’s greatest” football ground.
The Premier League club have been examining whether to redevelop
their Old Trafford home or build a new stadium in the same area in
conjunction with the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force.
United have now confirmed their “intention to pursue a new
100,000-seater stadium as the centrepiece of the regeneration of the
Old Trafford area” as they throw their “support behind the
Government’s growth agenda”.
Scaled models and conceptual images for how the new Old Trafford and
surrounding area could look like were revealed this morning at
the London headquarters of architects Foster + Partners, appointed in
September to design the stadium district.
“Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the
delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at
the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford,” Ratcliffe said.
He added, “Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115
years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport.
He explained, “By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve
the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art
stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our
historic home.”
The move to a new ground has been backed by former United boss Sir
Alex Ferguson.
“Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it
does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play
in,” Ferguson said.
He added, “Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but
we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit
for the future, where new history can be made.”
United estimate the stadium and wider regeneration project has the
potential to add an extra £7.3 billion (USD9.44 billion) each year to
the UK economy, with the possibility to create more than 17,000 homes
and 92,000 jobs.
— Ends/Khalid