Old Trafford’s Stretford End could be REMOVED as Man Utd draw up three plans for new ‘Wembley of the North’ stadium
MANCHESTER UNITED are working on three stadium expansion options – with a final decision expected next year.
The Red Devils are assessing two different plans to build a new 100,000-seater venue – and a third option to expand Old Trafford from its current 74,310 capacity to 87,000.
Both plans for a new ground are on pretty much the same site, but with slightly different footprints.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s preferred option is to build a 100,000-seater stadium on nearby land used by a rail freight company.
Architects Foster & Partner have also drawn up plans for a new 100,000-capacity ground on land behind the Stretford End.
This option may involve cutting off the Stretford End to finish the build, meaning some fans may be temporarily unable to attend games, but club execs are exploring options to avoid this.
Sir Jim and club officials are also investigating a plan that would see Old Trafford expanded and renovated.
The plans would focus on redevelopment of the Sir Bobby Charlton stand, also known as the South stand, but could also see a stand by stand expansion and a new roof.
This option would also mean some fans may be forced to miss games during construction work.
SunSport has approached Man Utd for comment.
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What we know about the 'new' Old Trafford
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.
There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.
However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.
The club are confident they have the demand to sell season tickets to fill a 100,000 stadium.
Club officials told a recent Old Trafford Regeneration meeting that 177,000 fans are on the season ticket waiting list.
The club currently sells 50,000 season tickets every season.
All three options would benefit from building and opening a new train station close to the ground to help fans get to the stadium.
It is thought that once an option is chosen, there is likely to be a lengthy ‘Design Consultation’ which could last up to two years before the building work will commence.
That means stadium construction is not likely to start until at least the end of the 2027/28 season, with the new stadium unlikely to be completed before 2032.
The project could cost £2bn and financing could prove an issue, with Ratcliffe himself only said to be worth £12bn – and that was before he bought into United.
But increased capacity and better hospitality packages will see matchday revenue increase sharply, with some estimates predicting a rise from £136m to £200m a year.
New shops and restaurants would also likely have to pay rent to the club, while United could even own the stores outright, meaning they would have a steady source of income from the site even when games are not being played.
Back in March, Ratcliffe spoke about designing a “Wembley of the North”.
He told the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast: “You have got this opportunity if you choose to, to build a completely new ground, because we have got enough space.
“If you built a completely new ground it would absolutely be state-of-the-art, world class, 90,000 or maybe even 100,000 that then provides a platform for some of the big competitions in the north of England.
“Why do England always play in the south? Why is the FA Cup final always in the south? Why can’t the Champions League final be in the north occasionally?
“Football in the north is just as important as it is in the south, arguably more so, and the people in the north pay their taxes, so why do we have Wembley, Twickenham, Wimbledon etc in the south.
“What have we got in the north? There’s a strong argument to build a ‘Wembley of the North’.”