Man United to replace Old Trafford with new 100,000-seat stadium

Manchester United unveiled plans to go away Previous Trafford, their historic residence floor, and construct a brand new 100,000-seat venue that co-owner Jim Ratcliffe says would be the “world’s biggest soccer stadium.”

The proposed area, formally introduced Tuesday, would surpass Wembley Stadium as the most important in the UK. The membership is hopeful the brand new stadium, which may reportedly price £2 billion, might be completed in 5 years, although a begin date for building hasn’t been introduced.

Man United have spent the previous 12 months inspecting if they need to redevelop Previous Trafford, their deteriorating venue that was opened in 1910 and has had a capability of 76,000 since its newest growth in 2006. As an alternative, the 20-time English champions have opted to construct a brand new venue as a part of a widespread “regeneration of the Previous Trafford space.”

“Our present stadium has served us brilliantly for the previous 115 years, nevertheless it has fallen behind the most effective arenas in world sport,” Ratcliffe mentioned. “By constructing subsequent to the present web site, we will protect the essence of Previous Trafford whereas creating a really state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan expertise, solely footsteps from our historic residence.

“Simply as vital is the chance for a brand new stadium to be the catalyst for social and financial renewal of the Previous Trafford space, creating jobs and funding, not simply through the building section, however on a long-lasting foundation when the stadium district is full.”

Conceptual photos for the brand new venue and surrounding space had been launched by Foster + Companions, the British architectural agency appointed on the undertaking. Lead architect Norman Foster mentioned the stadium will probably be sheltered by an umbrella design that is “twice the scale of Trafalgar Sq.” in London.

(Photos courtesy: Manchester United, Foster + Companions)

The membership will not have to play matches away from Previous Trafford whereas work on the brand new stadium is underway, sources advised Rob Dawson of ESPN.

Manchester United mentioned the regeneration undertaking, which has authorities assist, could be value £7.3 billion to the U.Okay. financial system. Funding specifics aren’t but recognized.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former supervisor who oversaw the best interval of sustained success in membership historical past, lauded the choice to go away Previous Trafford and transfer into a brand new residence.

“Manchester United ought to all the time try for the most effective in all the pieces it does, on and off the pitch, and that features the stadium we play in,” Ferguson mentioned. “Previous Trafford holds so many particular recollections for me personally, however we have to be courageous and seize this chance to construct a brand new residence, match for the long run, the place new historical past might be made.”