Nicky Butt delivers brutal Old Trafford reality amid Manchester United’s new £2bn stadium plans

Nicky Butt believes Manchester United have reached the point where they need to leave Old Trafford behind and build a new home worthy of the club.

The Red Devils legend has backed the proposed £2 billion stadium despite the nostalgia attached to their famous current ground.

Nicky Butt wants Man Utd to move on from Old Trafford

United are continuing to work on plans for a new stadium around 350 metres from Old Trafford, on land recently purchased from Indurent.

The 100,000-capacity venue is expected to become one of the world's leading stadiums, while plans for the wider Trafford Wharfside project could create 48,000 jobs and 15,000 new homes and generate an estimated £7.3 billion boost to the regional economy.

Butt argued that United cannot allow nostalgia to prevent the club from progressing.

He pointed to the modern stadiums being built by leading clubs, such as Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, and said Old Trafford's deteriorating condition, including its much-criticised roof and seating, means a move is necessary.

The former Red Devils midfielder also acknowledged that supporters would initially struggle with losing the famous name and atmosphere of Old Trafford, but insisted the stadium would always retain its place in United history.

He also warned that naming rights could become a contentious issue, although he believes the club needs to move forward if it wants one of the best stadiums in the country.

FGG says: Nicky Butt is right about Old Trafford

It is difficult to argue with Butt's main point.

Old Trafford will always be special, but sentiment cannot disguise the fact that the stadium has fallen behind the standards expected of a club of United's size.

A new 100,000-capacity home just a short distance away offers the best of both worlds: United can preserve the heritage of the existing site while creating a modern stadium capable of competing with the very best in world football.