Manchester United unveils plan for 100,000-Seater Stadium to replace Old Trafford

Manchester United has announced plans to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium, which co-owner Jim Ratcliffe describes as the “world’s greatest” football ground.

The Premier League club had been considering whether to renovate their historic Old Trafford stadium or construct a new one in the same area. On Tuesday, United confirmed their decision to pursue a new state-of-the-art stadium as part of a broader regeneration plan for the Old Trafford district, aligning with the UK government’s growth agenda.

During the announcement at the London headquarters of architects Foster + Partners, who were appointed in September to design the stadium district, scaled models and conceptual images of the new project were unveiled.

“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,” Ratcliffe stated.

He acknowledged Old Trafford’s legacy, noting that while the stadium had served the club well for 115 years, it had fallen behind the best sports venues worldwide. Ratcliffe assured fans that by constructing the new stadium next to the existing site, the club would “preserve the essence of Old Trafford while creating a modern stadium that enhances the fan experience.”

According to Manchester United, the stadium and the wider regeneration project could generate an estimated £7.3 billion ($9.4 billion) annually for the UK economy and create up to 92,000 new jobs.

The move has received strong support from legendary former manager Alex Ferguson, who led the club to 13 Premier League titles.

“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,” Ferguson said. “Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me, but we must be bold and seize this opportunity to build a new home where future history can be made.”

Sebastian Coe, who chaired the task force, described the project as a landmark urban regeneration effort, comparing it to the transformation seen during the 2012 London Olympics.

The club aims to complete construction within five years, using modular sections built off-site and transported via the Manchester Ship Canal. However, an official start date has not yet been determined.

Regarding project financing, club chief executive Omar Berrada expressed confidence in securing investment, describing it as “a very attractive opportunity.”