Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made his mind up when it comes to the future of Old Trafford.
Ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his Manchester United takeover last Christmas, he has fast-tracked plans for stadium development.
A stadium task force including Gary Neville was assembled back in February. They met for a final time this week with a final decision to be made shortly.
Two options are on the table for Ratcliffe and Co. – to expand and renovate Old Trafford or to build a new 100,000-seater stadium.
A new stadium is set to cost around £2bn but would have a major impact on the club’s income and PSR flexibility.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘strongly favours’ Man United stadium option
Ultimately, Ratcliffe will be the key decision-maker when it comes to United’s stadium plans.
United fans voted on what to do with Old Trafford with 52 percent of supporters in favour of a new-build stadium. 31 percent voted to refurbish Old Trafford. 17 percent declared themselves unsure.
It has been suggested that Ratcliffe would prefer a new stadium, and fresh reports suggest he is very much leaning towards a new-build.
According to The Telegraph, Ratcliffe is “strongly in favour” of a new stadium but question marks remain about how the project would be funded.
Omar Berrada, United’s CEO, and Collette Roche, the chief operating officer attended a video call this week alongside the stadium task force, where they were told a new stadium would serve as a “catalyst for an extraordinary regeneration project”.
Details of Man United 100,000 stadium plan
United have their sights set on building a ‘Wembley of the North’ with either option set to extend the club’s lead when it comes to having the biggest club stadium in the country.
A final decision is expected in the coming months and work on a new stadium could begin in 2025.
Finance expert Adam Williams predicts that United would earn £230m per season at a new stadium, while it would also provide a huge economic boost to the area.
The Oxford Economics report claims United’s stadium project could create 92,000 jobs, more than 17,000 new homes and an additional 1.8 million visitors each year.
The location of a new stadium would likely be right next to Old Trafford, which would allow United to continue playing at the Theatre of Dreams while construction is underway.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/42AZwj1