BREAKING NEWS: reported by Fabrizio Romano, the new owner of Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has announced plans to demolish Old Trafford. He expressed confidence, stating, “I believe constructing a new stadium will be a highly effective solution.” Renovating Old Trafford is estimated at £800 million, while building a new ground might cost up to £2 billion. Ratcliffe expressed readiness for the task.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the new owner of Manchester United, has been instructed to think about the possibility of tearing down the team's Old Trafford headquarters.
Ratcliffe acquired a 25% stake in Man Utd from the Glazer brothers in a deal finalized on Christmas Eve, aiming to modernize the club. Initially focusing on the team and staff, he also aims to revamp the club’s aging infrastructure, particularly the outdated Old Trafford stadium.
Long-term plans prioritize the modernization of Old Trafford, widely seen as inadequate. Reports suggest Ratcliffe and the Glazers, holding a controlling 75% stake, are considering demolishing Old Trafford to construct a new stadium. A team led by architectural firm Populous and Legends International was appointed to plan this, offering three options: a partial renovation, expansion of the south stand, or a completely new stadium.
Chris Lee, from Populous, emphasized the urgent need for updates at Old Trafford. He sees building anew as the potentially most cost-effective solution, despite its initial high cost, pointing out the ample available space for development without affecting matchday revenues. The idea of an innovative and unconstrained architectural design excites him.
According to The Telegraph, renovating Old Trafford might cost around £800 million, while a new stadium could reach an estimated £2 billion.
