Manchester United have unveiled plans to construct a brand-new, state-of-the-art 100,000-seat stadium, which would be the largest in the UK.
The proposed project, estimated to cost at least £2billion, will be built next to Old Trafford.
Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe envisions the development as “the world’s greatest football stadium,” with the club aiming for completion within the next five years.
This decision follows discussions on whether to renovate the existing Old Trafford or embark on an entirely new build.
Since its inauguration in 1910, Old Trafford has been Manchester United’s home ground. However, growing concerns over its aging infrastructure have prompted discussions on the future of the club’s stadium.
Leading architectural firm Foster and Partners has been chosen to design the new stadium. The project will feature an innovative umbrella-style structure.
Lord Norman Foster, the firm’s executive chairman, described the vision: “This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today. It all starts with the fans’ experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar.
“The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square.”
Despite currently being in £1 billion debt, Manchester United has yet to confirm how they intend to finance the project. The stadium is set to be the centerpiece of a broader redevelopment plan for the Old Trafford area, a scheme expected to rival the transformation of Stratford ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.
According to the club, the project could generate 92,000 new jobs, facilitate the construction of 17,000 homes, and attract an additional 1.8 million visitors to the area annually. The economic impact is projected to be worth £7.3 billion per year to the UK economy.
Ratcliffe expressed his excitement about the plans, stating: “Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest stadium.
“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years but it has fallen behind the arenas in world sport.
“I think we may well finish up with the most iconic football stadium in the world.”
Although Old Trafford remains the largest club stadium in England with a capacity of 74,140, concerns about its aging condition have increased in recent years. Issues such as roof leaks in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand have underscored the need for redevelopment.
As part of their research, United officials consulted experts involved in major stadium projects, including Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium and the recent renovation of Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
The club also sought input from local residents and fans through a survey to determine whether supporters preferred a new build or an extensive redevelopment of the current stadium.
The future of Old Trafford remains uncertain. Although some speculated that it could be repurposed for United’s women’s and youth teams, club insiders have suggested that downsizing the stadium for such use would not be cost-effective.
Foster and Partners, renowned for their work on major sporting venues, previously designed Wembley Stadium, which opened in 2007, and Lusail Stadium, the venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.
Moving away from Old Trafford will be a significant change for many, but former manager Sir Alex Ferguson supports the initiative. He said: “Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in.
“Old Trafford holds so many memories for me personally but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where history can be made.”