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The co-owner of Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, reportedly favours the construction of a new 100,000-seater stadium for the English club next to Old Trafford. The proposed facility in the heart of Manchester would cost more than £2 billion and take about six years to complete, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe pushing for the decision to be taken by the end of December 2024.
As per the report from Sky Sports, the Chief Operating Officer of Manchester United, Colette Roche, who leads the stadium project for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has visited a few of the top stadiums in the world, to consult about how these venues came to be. It included discussions with the executives at Real Madrid about reconfiguring the Santiago Bernabeu, which is nearing completion after five years of work.
The assessment of the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles has also been done by the Manchester United officials.
Andy Cole, who watched Manchester United’s pre-season friendly against Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium, spoke about how its regeneration can be replicated at Old Trafford with either a new or redeveloped facility. He said, “To see how it has become such a thriving neighbourhood, with the SoFi at the heart of it, is an inspirational example of inner-city regeneration.”
"I don't draw this comparison lightly, but you can see a parallel with the opportunity back home in Manchester. A new or redeveloped stadium at Old Trafford could be the focal point for revitalisation of the surrounding area. Manchester United fans and everyone in the north of England deserves a truly world-class stadium, and SoFi sets the standard to aim for,” he added.
