Man Utd ‘could play home games at Old Trafford while building new stadium right next to 112-year-old ground’

MANCHESTER UNITED will consider playing on at Old Trafford while construction of a new stadium takes place on land surrounding the ground.

According to Telegraph Sport, the 112-year-old would then be demolished before builders can finish the job.

AFP

Man United could reportedly continue playing home games at Old Trafford whilst a new stadium is built on land surrounding the historic ground[/caption]

United’s famous stadium is in desperate need of modernising.

And it was revealed this week that Old Trafford being knocked down and replaced with new stadium was one of a number of options being mulled over by the club.

The ground has been the Red Devils’ home for over a century and is a world-renowned part of Manchester.

Aside from the monetary matters and fans’ strength of feeling about the stadium, questions have arisen as to where the Red Devils will play home games if Old Trafford was demolished.

Tottenham were able to move their home games to Wembley as their £1billion stadium was being constructed.

At present there are no large scale North West neutral grounds that United could use temporarily.

However, reports say the club owns large plots of land around their stadium.

And it is thought there could be potential to construct a new ground close by whilst their Prem side continues to play at Old Trafford.

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Yesterday it was reported this option was not the number one choice for the Glazers, but that it could be a very real possibility for United’s owners.

It is thought the land on their Stretford site, which has become dilapidated, could be utilised.

However it is reckoned this option could be the most expensive and would see United be ‘homeless’ for two years.

Alongside car parking space behind the club’s West Stand, United also have freight facility space nearby should they opt to build a new ground on existing land near their stadium.

It would also remove the requirement of building over the railway line behind Old Trafford’s current South Stand.

Another choice the club is reportedly thought to be exploring is extending the South Stand as part of a full refurb of the current stadium.

However, it is thought the intricacies of such building work could cause costs to spiral, particularly if the club chose to keep the stand open on game days whilst work is being conducted.

A third reported choice is for a complete revamp of the stadium and no expansion of the South Stand.

The club, whose Prem side play Atletico Madrid next, are thought to be close to appointing a partner firm to oversee the works following a tender process.

However, the Telegraph reports a decision this is yet to be taken.