Manchester United’s new stadium project faces potential delay until 2035

Manchester United's new stadium may not open until 2035 due to delays according to official planning documentation.

Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe announced in March 2025 that Manchester United would be building a new stadium rather than renovating Old Trafford, with the billionaire saying the project could be completed in five years.

However, the expected completion date has been gradually pushed back since that announcement, with recent reports now stating that the stadium may not open until 2035.

Man Utd stadium project pushed back

The Trafford Wharfside Strategic Masterplan Consultation Draft, which was produced by Trafford Council, does not include the new Manchester United stadium in phase one, which runs between 2025 and 2030.

Instead, the new stadium has been included in the second phase of the plan, which runs from 2031 to 2035.

That could mean the proposed 100,000-seater venue will open three years later than the 2032 window projected by Collette Roche, chief executive of Manchester United's New Stadium Development, during a discussion around the project held in the summer of 2026.

The club are reportedly still hopeful of opening the venue in time to host the 2035 Women's World Cup final, which is set to be held in the United Kingdom, although they will face a tight race to meet the deadline, especially with ongoing hurdles such as securing funding for the project.

FGG Says: More bad news for Man Utd fans

Manchester United fans may have been looking forward to seeing their new stadium in the not-so-far future, especially given the issues spotted at the historic Old Trafford in recent years.

However, the reported delay until 2035 only delivers further bad news for Man Utd fans, who have seen their side endure an underwhelming start to the 2026/27 season.