Old Trafford redevelopment: Task force completes initial work

The future of Old Trafford is set to become a lot clearer by the summer after the club announced today that the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force had completed its initial work in relation to the potential new Manchester United stadium.

The task force, which was headed up by Lord Sebastian Coe, has conducted feasibility work over the past six months with a focus on how a new stadium or renovated Old Trafford would help drive forward social and economic renewal in the local area.

The idea behind the task force was for them to ultimately weigh up which route would be more advantageous to go down, and an options report has now been submitted to executive bodies at Manchester United, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Trafford Borough Council.

Old Trafford redevelopment Latest updates

January 2025 – The government will not directly fund Old Trafford

A senior minister has stated that the government will not fund Old Trafford for any “sporting elements.” On Monday, 27 January, the UK government announced support for the Old Trafford project. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, through a spokesperson, noted that “she is advocating for a regeneration initiative surrounding Old Trafford in Manchester.”

Importantly, the government intends to assist only with the peripheral projects, not the stadium itself and has yet to provide a concrete funding plan.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed the Chancellor's comments about the wider project, saying, “We’ll work with Mayor Andy Burnham, who exemplifies local economic leadership. We have a variety of resources, including our National Wealth Fund to partner with industry and invest in local areas, along with the planning reforms that will facilitate these developments.” Nonetheless, the project faces significant challenges, as three freight train terminals adjacent to the site hinder Old Trafford's outward expansion. The plans for the area include new housing, commercial, and public spaces, expected to generate over £7 billion annually for the UK economy and create around 90,000 new jobs.

Old Trafford task force: The results are in

The findings from the report are positive, with the task force finding that a new world-class stadium at Old Trafford is a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity' to transform the area. Initial findings suggest that the stadium could spark regeneration, ultimately delivering an extra £7.3bn to the UK economy and close to 100,000 employment opportunities.

In terms of a preference for a brand-new stadium or a renovated Old Trafford, the task force haven't disclosed which route they believe the club should go down but have provided an idea on what the potential capacity of each option would be.

A new Old Trafford built adjacent to the current stadium would have the potential to have a capacity of 100,000, making it one of the biggest stadiums in the Europe. A redeveloped Old Trafford, however, would only be able to reach a capacity of 87,000 due to structural and logistical problems.

The club are yet to make a final decision on which road they want to go down but supporters surveyed by the club have voted in favour of a new stadium. The board are set to make a final decision one way or the other by the start of next season.

ℹ️ The Old Trafford Rengeneration Task Force has determined potential capacities for redeveloping the current site and for building a new stadium. #MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 17, 2025