Manchester United announced the construction of a new stadium with a capacity for 100,000 spectators, which will replace the historic Old Trafford. Designed by renowned architect Norman Foster, the project aims to create a cutting-edge venue that transforms the fan experience and revitalizes the area.
According to what was presented by Jim Ratcliffe, minority shareholder and head of the English club's sports department, the new stadium will be located in Trafford Wharfside and will feature an innovative roof that will protect a large public plaza, twice the size of Trafalgar Square in London. Additionally, the design includes three towers inspired by the devil's trident from the club's crest, with the tallest one visible from 40 kilometers away.
Asi se verá el nuevo estadio
The project is estimated to cost 2 billion pounds (approximately 2.4 billion euros) and will have support from the British government. The construction will take about 5 years, during which Manchester United will continue playing at Old Trafford until the new stadium is ready.
Regarding financing, Ratcliffe clarified that the club can pay for the stadium's construction and that public funds from the British state will only be for the development of the surrounding infrastructure. "We can build the stadium without government money, but we can't finance the entire area's regeneration," he assured. However, it is still unclear where such a large amount of money will come from, given that he just laid off 450 employees and has a debt close to 1 billion pounds.
Jim Ratcliffe, el principal impulsor del proyecto
Manchester United's CEO, Omar Berrada, acknowledged that the investment in the new stadium could affect spending on the squad and the team's competitiveness over the next five years. However, he emphasized the club's commitment to remaining competitive while the new venue is being built.
Beyond that, the club expects the new stadium to generate a significant economic impact in this region of Manchester, with the creation of 92,000 jobs, 17,000 homes, and the attraction of 1.8 million additional tourists each year. Additionally, it is expected to contribute 7.3 billion pounds annually to the local economy.
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson, the club's historic manager, expressed that while Old Trafford holds many special memories, it's important to seize the opportunity to move to a new stadium to ensure the club's future success.
