Man Utd have confirmed their intentions to pursue a new 100,000-seater stadium at Old Trafford as part of the Government's regeneration project in South Manchester.
After a period of deliberation, where the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force conducted a feasibility study around whether a new stadium or a redeveloped Old Trafford would be the best way forward, the club have confirmed that they intend to a brand-new, state of the art stadium.
The planned regeneration project in the surrounding area of the new stadium is estimated to bring in around £7.3bn per year in the UK through thousands of new jobs and tourism opportunities. The cost of the stadium will be fronted by the club and will reportedly cost £2bn.
New Man Utd stadium concept images
The architects appointed to design the new Man Utd stadium, Foster + Partners, have unveiled initial concept art of how the stadium and surrounding area could look when it's completed. While these are only a very early indication and should be taken with a pinch of salt, they do show the scale of the project.
Manchester United have said that conceptual images will be used to steer the next phase of the project, which includes detailed feasibility, consultation, design and planning work. The aim is to move fast with the club hoping to have the stadium completed by 2030 at the earliest and 2032 at the latest.
The club also released a promotional video showing further concept images of how the stadium could look both from the outside and the inside. It's clear from the video that they plan for the stadium to be used for other purposes, including concerts, which will bring in more income for the club.
This is your future.
Your home.
Your United.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/cK7yVnOm1X— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 11, 2025
‘The start of an incredibly exciting journey'
As part of the club's official statement, Sir Jim Ratcliffe reassured fans that the new stadium would retain the soul of Old Trafford. He said:
“Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford.
“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience, only footsteps from our historic home.”
Sir Alex Ferguson, who was responsible for bringing about some of the best moments ever seen at Old Trafford, has backed the project. 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 special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made.”
FGG says: A difficult, but correct decision
The decision to build a new stadium isn't going to go down well with sections of the Man Utd fanbase but the reality is, Old Trafford has been in a state of decline for 20 years thanks exclusively to the negligence of the Glazer family.
The train track behind the Sir Bobby Charlton means that development work would have been restricted so a new build was always going to be the logical way forward. The only concern now relates to how the club will pay for the stadium and how much fans will have to pay to watch matches here.
Both of these questions will need to be addressed soon but Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been an open book since becoming co-owner of the club so it's unlikely we will have to wait long to find out.