Manchester United has officially announced plans to move out of Old Trafford while constructing a state-of-the-art, 100,000-seat stadium, the largest in UK football history. The new venue, named New Trafford, will be built near the current site and is expected to take approximately five years to complete.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner, expressed his goal to establish a stadium that would become an iconic destination in football history while preserving the legacy associated with Old Trafford. The stadium architecture designed by Lord Norman Foster combines sustainable elements such as solar power systems with a water collection method. The stadium’s three tall masts will let people spot it from up to 40km away.
United’s plans will enable the club to generate approximately €7.3 billion in revenue annually while creating 92,000 employment positions for UK residents. However, ticket prices and financial debts have raised ongoing uncertainties regarding this development project. The stadium’s fanbase members will ultimately face long-term expenses due to funding from banking institutions.
The stadium’s modular design allows builders to fasten the construction using the facilities of the Manchester Ship Canal. Manchester United Supporters Trust advocates the complete disclosure of the ticket price levels while demanding information on fan-related aspects.
United CEO Omar Berrada labels this project as a fundamental transformation that keeps the clubs trying to achieve greatness at the top level of football. While the new Trafford stadium will transform the English football, the Old Trafford stadium will have an uncertain future.