by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers have been called upon to demolish Old Trafford and build an “innovative and exciting” new stadium, according to the architectural visionaries behind Manchester United’s redevelopment project.
Long-standing plans to refurbish and expand tired Old Trafford which is “coming to the end of its natural life” or build a new stadium have been in limbo for more than a year amid the Glazers’ drawn-out “strategic review”.
Ratcliffe has pledged an initial £237 million towards Old Trafford’s infrastructure needs in addition to the £1.03 billion deal announced on Christmas Eve in which the Ineos founder will take a 25 per cent stake in the club and full control of football operations from the Glazers.
Sources close to Ratcliffe told Telegraph Sport that there would be a “very detailed scoping exercise on what needs to be done for Old Trafford” and that the British billionaire recognized that the stadium would need much more investment in the future.
United fans are hoping Ratcliffe’s arrival – subject to the Premier League confirming the deal – will jump-start the stalled stadium plans, 18 months after a survey was launched asking supporters for their views.
A team led by Populous, the global architectural design firm behind the spectacular Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and management consultants Legends International were appointed in April last year to create a masterplan.
The three options currently on the table would be a small refurbishment project, an extension of the south stand over the adjacent railway line and a complete redevelopment of the existing ground, or the creation of an entirely new stadium.
Chris Lee, chief executive of Populous, said there was “recognition within the club that something has to be done”.
But he warned that inaction was not a realistic option as Old Trafford reached a point where “everything is approaching its sell-by date” and the club risked losing further ground to rivals without “crucial” updates.
Lee believes that United should seriously consider demolishing Old Trafford and building a state-of-the-art stadium on the surrounding land that would allow them to continue playing at their 113-year-old home while starting work and not be hit by the day’s income. United earned £136.4 million in matchday revenue last season – the equivalent of £4.1 million per game.
Asked what his choice would be in an interview with Telegraph Sport, Lee said: “Well, I’d say it wouldn’t be this but I feel that the new build might be the most cost-effective solution.
“Yes, the initial outlay is obviously the highest of the three options but there is so much land available to develop there.
“They [United] He could continue to use the existing land while construction work is underway, meaning there will be no reduction in daily income.
“Architecturally, in the space available you could do something really innovative and exciting. There would be no space restrictions.
“We have worked with Legends to look at all the possible options, different versions of renovations to Old Trafford and also what a new build could look like, it has all focused on how we can creating a great fan experience. Manchester United are very focused on that.”
The redevelopment and expansion of Old Trafford as it currently stands is estimated to cost in excess of £800 million and has been internally quoted as an eight-year project. A new stadium could cost as much as £2 billion.
Ratcliffe has pledged £158 million when it completes its deal with a further £79 million by the end of next year on top of its purchase price for its quarterly stake through its debt-free investment vehicle, Trawlers Ltd.
But with the Glazers to take more than £500 million out of the deal, it remains to be seen how the full cost of a redeveloped or new stadium would be funded.
A leaky roof and rusty exterior are strong symbols of Old Trafford’s neglect under the Glazers and the subject of derision from rivals’ fans.
And whatever happens, Lee said it was impossible to leave Old Trafford untouched. “I think that would be wrong,” he said. “And I believe there is recognition within the club that something needs to be done.
“The building is nearing the end of its natural life – the cabling, the electricity supplies, everything is almost sold. And the interior is very narrow and difficult in places.
“I would say updating is vital, not only to maintain the club’s standing, but to keep the place functional.”
Lee said Populous is patiently awaiting the next stage of the process following the delay caused by the strategic review and Ratcliffe will now seek his own input.
“As far as we understand the plans have been put on hold during the sales process,” he said. “But we believe that the ideas we have presented are very strong.”
The Glazers have been accused by fans of sleeping on the job during the 18 years they have owned the club, during which time rivals such as Tottenham and Arsenal have moved in new stadiums, Liverpool have redeveloped Anfield and Manchester City have expanded the club. Etihad Stadium.
The community is currently overseeing plans to expand the North Stand at the Etihad in time for the start of the 2025-26 season which will take the stadium’s capacity to more than 60,000 as part of a project that will also create a hotel and stadium. roof walk experience.
United are understood to have shared the results of the supporters’ survey with the Fans’ Advisory Board after pledging to be “at the heart of plans to develop Old Trafford”. Those results are yet to be shared with the entire fan base and the general public.
It was initially known that Richard Arnold, who resigned as chief executive last month, was very much in favor of redeveloping and expanding the existing land. But it is thought that there is a senior team that is willing to design a new stadium if the money was there.
Late last year, Collette Roche, United’s chief operating officer, warned that redeveloping Old Trafford would pose “significant challenges” and that the club was continuing to explore all options.
“There are significant challenges in terms of complexity, timing, cost and disruption, particularly given the inherent constraints surrounding our site, including proximity to the railway, canal, public access routes and housing,” said Roche .
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust has called for talks with the club and Ineos to discuss their future plans.
