Premier League club Manchester United’s new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly planning to transform club’s home stadium into the “Wembley of the North”. Alternatively, the INEOS chief also has plans to build a new stadium just beside Old Trafford.
One of the biggest issues that the new owner will face is sorting out the situation regarding the home stadium. The renowned stadium, which is 114 years old and the largest in British club football, is deteriorating due to a leaky roof, corroding metal, and an outdated design that is decades behind that of United’s main competitors.
An estimated £237 million was promised to be invested in the stadium as part of the £1.3 billion investment that Ratcliffe announced on Christmas Eve. At an estimated cost of £800 million, one option would be to update, renovate, and expand the 74,000-capacity Old Trafford.
However, starting from scratch to build a whole new stadium would be a much more exciting—and costly—option. Since Ratcliffe is opposed to moving United, the Ineos CEO is said to have decided that the area near Old Trafford would be the location of the new construction. In doing so, the stadium would be positioned between the Bridgewater Canal and the railroad tracks that currently pass the current ground.
One way or the other, exciting times ahead for Manchester United fans.
