Man Utd chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to build a ‘Wembley of the North’ (Image: Photo by Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Manchester United are planning to construct a new stadium on the site of Old Trafford, with an official announcement expected by year’s end.
The club’s preferred choice is to erect a brand-new 100,000-seater state-of-the-art stadium on land adjacent to Old Trafford, costing approximately £2billion, by 2030.
Alternatively, they could refurbish Old Trafford, but this would pose logistical challenges, such as reducing the capacity from 75,000 to around 40,000 during construction or finding an alternative venue.
The Old Trafford Task Force has been established by United to evaluate both options, with officials visiting stadiums worldwide to gather information on building the UK’s best sports arena.
These include the Bernabeu, Nou Camp and the 70,000-capacity SoFi in Los Angeles, arguably the world’s finest sports arena, where United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, now overseeing football operations at United, envisions a significant regeneration of the local area surrounding Old Trafford, including amenities and job creation.
The So-Fi project achieved just that, costing around £4billion overall, funded by Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, with the ‘Hollywood Park’ area around the stadium featuring a 6,000 concert venue, apartments and hotels.
United are looking at SoFi as a model for their own ambitious vision for a new Old Trafford and the subsequent regeneration of the surrounding area that such a bold stadium transformation would bring, reports the Mirror.
Private and public investment would help meet the cost of the new ground, with the Government helping with funding for the necessary improved transport links.
Former United striker Andy Cole, currently on the club’s US pre-season tour, has been left very impressed by SoFi and the impact it’s had on the local community.
“What left the biggest impression on me is how the stadium has been central to the rise of Inglewood,” said Cole. “I have been coming to LA for years and that area of the city was never previously somewhere you would choose to go as a visitor.
“To see how it’s become such a thriving neighbourhood, with SoFi at the heart of it, is an inspirational example of inner-city regeneration. I don’t draw this comparison lightly, but you can see a parallel with the opportunity back home in Manchester.
“A new or redeveloped stadium at Old Trafford could be the focal point for revitalisation of the surrounding area. Manchester United fans and everyone in the north of England deserves a truly world-class stadium and So-Fi set the standard to aim for.
“This is the kind of arena the best players in the world want to be playing in and fans want to be experiencing.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1929221/Man-Utd-new-stadium-plan-Old-Trafford