Published 2024-02-07 10.39
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Manchester United’s new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe wants to build a brand new Old Trafford.
The new building could be located on land right next to today’s classic arena.
Several British media call the project the “Wembley of the North” with an audience capacity of upwards of 90,000 spectators.
New minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe pledged to improve Manchester United’s home ground as part of the investment.
Of the 1.3 billion pounds (corresponding to 17 billion Swedish kronor) that Jim Ratcliffe bought himself for, 239 million pounds must be guaranteed to be pumped into the arena.
Renovating the existing 74,000 capacity Old Trafford is estimated to cost £800 million.
The more exciting and expensive alternative would be to take the opportunity to build a completely new arena.
Jim Ratcliffe does not want to move Manchester United but is looking at land between the railway tracks and the Bridgewater Canal outside Old Trafford.
Selected for the EC
A new arena would compete with the likes of the iconic 90,000-capacity Wembley in north-west London to host Champions League finals, the NFL, boxing matches and the biggest concerts of all time.
For example, Old Trafford has been opted out when Great Britain and Ireland will host the 2028 men’s European Football Championship.
There are plans to apply for government funds to finance a construction of up to two billion pounds – the equivalent of 26 billion Swedish kronor.
Dating back to 1910 as the biggest stadium in British club football, Old Trafford is now 114 years old and has issues with leaking roofs, rusting steel and outdated facilities compared to its rivals.
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full screen Old Trafford was built in 1910. Photo: Jason Cairnduff / Reuters
Lagging behind the competition
Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham are three clubs that have made a lot of money from their new impressive stadiums.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that replaced White Hart Lane in North London is considered one of the most modern stadiums in the world.
Jim Ratcliffe dreams that the stadium for Manchester United will become something very special that will attract attention all over the world.
According to a source to the Daily Mail, they are urgent for him and an opportunity to leave a mark on history.
The 71-year-old from Oldham has been a lifelong Manchester United supporter and bought into 25 per cent of the club on Christmas Eve.
Liverpool have decided to stay at Anfield but have renovated the stadium, Chelsea are working on updating Stamford Bridge or building a new stadium, Everton are building a new stadium instead of Goodison Park and West Ham moved from Upton Park to the London Stadium.
2024-02-08 02:01:45
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