We are fast approaching the one year mark since Manchester United unveiled their plans for a brand-new 100,000-seater stadium and although progress has been slow, there is positive news for supporters who want the plans to become reality.
On Friday, 23 January, the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation (OTR MDC) was officially launched, which the club have called a ‘major milestone' in the new journey towards the new stadium and the regeneration fo the wider area.
The role of the OTR MDC will be to specifically drive forward behind the delivery of 15,000 new home and 90,000 new jobs in the local Old Trafford area, and most importantly, as far as Manchester United are concerned, a new world class football stadium.
Ambitions to build the ‘world's best football stadium'
Colette Roche, the Manchester chief Operating Officer, spoke at the launch of the corporation. She said:
“It's an honour to represent Manchester United at the launch of the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation. Our ambition is to build the world’s best football stadium – one worthy of our supporters, our history and our future.
We welcome the official launch of the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation 🤝
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 23, 2026
This marks a major milestone in the journey towards a new world-class home for the club and a vibrant district around Old Trafford.
“We want to create the best matchday atmosphere and experience anywhere in world football, while ensuring the stadium acts as a catalyst for a vibrant new district for fans, residents and visitors.
“Today marks a landmark moment for our club, for Trafford, and for Greater Manchester. We express our thanks to Lord Coe, Mayor Andy Burnham, Trafford Council, GMCA, and all our partners and community representatives for their leadership and collaboration in helping us reach this important milestone.”
Lord Sebastian Coe, the Chair of the OTR MDC added:
“Today is a defining moment, the beginning of a long-term commitment to transforming the Old Trafford area. We are now open for business – and there's a lot to do! Over the next few months, we will share our outline masterplan, and we will begin to make this vision a reality.”
FGG says: Progress is progress
While this is hardly the ‘major' milestone that Man Utd are labelling it, it is at least a step in the right direction after a series of mishaps over the past ten months. One thing that could put a dampener on things, though, is the news that the Mayor, Andy Burnham, could be leaving his role to become an MP.