Man Utd will KEEP Old Trafford as a second venue after ambitious £2bn plans to create 100,000 capacity stadium
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to keep the current Old Trafford in some form when they move to a new stadium.
The club is to move to a new £2billion, 100,000-capacity stadium on land adjacent to the current ground.
The plan is to have the new stadium ready by 2030.
However, the club does not intend to demolishing Old Trafford completely but instead scaling it down to a 30,000-seater venue.
It 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.
Keeping Old Trafford in some form would be good news for fans who have an emotional attachment to what has been the club’s home since 1910.
However, it is believed that a club of United’s standing needs a new state-of-the-art facility.
It would be part of a regeneration of that whole area of Trafford.
The club are currently looking at funding for the project and there is the chance of a sponsors name being linked to the new stadium.
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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.
Current shirt sponsors Snapdragon have expressed an interest in that.
They would look to retain the Old Trafford name with their own connected to it.
So Old Trafford could become Old Trafford@Snapdragon.
However, plans to build a new stadium could be put in jeopardy if United do not receive government funding.
Man Utd are understood to be unlikely to get a handout following the recent discovery of a £20billion hole in the nation’s public finances.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already implemented a major cost-cutting programme, with significant tax rises also expected.
That means plans to invest tens of millions of pounds in United’s new stadium project could be reconsidered or ruled out.
Without government funding for the proposed £2bn stadium, Man Utd chiefs will have to assess other options such as scaling the plans back.
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