by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers have been urged to demolish an outdated Old Trafford and build a “truly innovative and exciting” new stadium, according to the architectural visionaries behind Manchester United’s redevelopment project.
Long-awaited plans to refurbish and extend a tired Old Trafford that 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’ protracted “strategic review” .
Ratcliffe has pledged an initial £237m contribution towards Old Trafford’s infrastructure needs, in addition to the £1.03bn deal announced on Christmas Eve, which sees the Ineos founder take a 25 per cent stake in the club and control total of the Glazers’ football operations.
Sources close to Ratcliffe told Telegraph Sport there would have to be a “very detailed analysis exercise on what needs to be done at Old Trafford” and that the British billionaire acknowledged the stadium would require a much larger investment in the future.
United fans hope Ratcliffe’s arrival – subject to the deal being ratified by the Premier League – will kick-start stalled stadium plans, 18 months after the launch of a survey asking fans for their opinions.
A team led by Populous, the global architectural design firm behind the stunning 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 involve either a small renovation project, the 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 “a recognition within the club that something needs to be done”.
But he warned that inaction was not a realistic option as Old Trafford had reached a point where “everything is approaching its sell-by date” and the club risks losing further ground to its rivals without updates. crucial.”
Lee believes United should seriously consider knocking down Old Trafford and building a world-leading stadium on the surrounding grounds which would allow them to continue playing at their 113-year-old home while work begins and suffer no hit to matchday revenue. United earned £136.4 million in matchday revenue last season, the equivalent of £4.1 million per match.
Asked what his preference would be in an interview with Telegraph Sport, Lee said: “Well, I would say no, but I think new construction may prove to be the most cost-effective solution.”
“Yes, the initial outlay is obviously the highest of the three options, but there is a lot of land available to develop there.
“They [United] could continue to use the existing land while the works are carried out, meaning that the day’s income will not decrease.
“Architecturally, something really innovative and exciting could be done in the available space. There would be no space restrictions.
“We have worked with Legends to look at all feasibility options, multiple different versions of Old Trafford renovations and also what a new build could look like, all focused on how we can create an incredible fan experience. “Manchester United are very focused on that.”
The redevelopment and expansion of Old Trafford in its current form is estimated to cost more than £800 million and has been cited internally as an eight-year project. A new stadium could cost up to £2bn.
Ratcliffe has pledged £158 million upon completion of his deal and a further £79 million by the end of next year, in addition to the purchase price of his quarter stake through his investment vehicle, Trawlers Ltd. which does not imply debt.
But with the Glazers set to pocket more than £500m from the deal, it remains to be seen how the full cost of a new or refurbished stadium would be financed.
A leaking roof and rusty exterior have become potent symbols of Old Trafford’s abandonment under the Glazers and a source of ridicule from rival fans.
And whatever materializes in the future, Lee said leaving Old Trafford intact was not feasible. “I think that would be reckless,” he added. “And I think there is a recognition within the club that something has to be done.
“The building is reaching the end of its natural life: the wiring, the electrical supply, everything is approaching its expiration date. And the interiors are very tight and difficult in places.
“I would say the upgrade is crucial not only to maintaining the club’s standing, but also to keeping the venue functional.”
Lee said Populous has been waiting patiently to figure out the next stage in the process following delays caused by the strategic review and Ratcliffe will now want his own opinion.
“As far as we understand, plans have been on hold during the sales process,” he said. “But we think the ideas we put forward are very strong.”
Fans have accused the Glazers of being asleep on the job during the 18 years they have owned the club, during which time rivals such as Tottenham and Arsenal have moved to new stadiums, Liverpool has redeveloped Anfield and Manchester City has Etihad Stadium expanded.
Populous is currently overseeing plans to expand the Etihad’s North Stand in time for the start of the 2025-26 season, taking the stadium’s capacity to more than 60,000 people as part of a project that will also include the creation of a hotel and a stadium. Rooftop walk experience.
United are understood to have shared the results of the fan survey with the Supporters Advisory Council and promised they will be at the “centre of the plans for the development of Old Trafford”. Those findings have not yet been shared with the entire fanbase and the general public.
Richard Arnold, who resigned as chief executive last month, was originally known to be very much in favor of redeveloping and expanding the existing land. But it is believed that there are management staff who are open to the idea of a new stadium if there is money.
Late last year, Collette Roche, United’s chief operating officer, warned that the redevelopment of Old Trafford would present “significant challenges” and that the club was continuing to explore all options.
“There are significant challenges in terms of complexity, time, cost and disruption, not least due to the inherent limitations of our site, including proximity to the adjacent railway line, canal, public access routes and housing,” Roche said. .
The Manchester United Supporters Trust has called for talks with the club and Ineos to discuss their future plans.
