Manchester United have announced plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium but work is yet to get underway.
Back in March, Manchester United published concept images of a new stadium with a capacity of 100,000 and an expected cost of £2 billion.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe partnered with Foster and Partners – headed by Sir Norman Foster – to lead the project with the stadium expected to be finished by 2030.
However, Ineos are yet to source any funding for the project. One option that could be explored is a naming rights deal for the stadium.
Ideally, work will start on the stadium this year, but there is yet to be any progress made and now there are concerns growing about another project.
Manchester United Plans to Build New World Class Stadium
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
San Siro project causes concern for Man United stadium build
Building an entirely new stadium and surrounding area in just five years is already a monumental task for United and architects Foster and Partners.
Ratcliffe has been warned about the stadium timeline already with some experts claiming it is overly ambitious to try and have it open by 2030.
According to City AM, United have been “surprised” by the decision of Foster and Partners to pick up another huge stadium redevelopment project in Italy.
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Foster and Partners have agreed to lead the redevelopment of San Siro in Milan, which has caused concern in Manchester that the architecture firm – who have no offices in Manchester or Milan – could become overly stretched.
The San Siro project is expected to cost around €1 billion (£862m) according to FootballGroundGuide. The project in Milan is set to include the construction of a 60,000-capacity stadium.
What Man United stadium architects have said about £2bn project
The report from above claims that Norman Foster’s strong relationship with Ratcliffe helped him land the gig to lead United’s stadium project.
The eye-catching ‘trident’ design of United’s stadium was created by Foster and his firm, and now he is tasked with delivering on his promise within the next five years.
Speaking about the stadium design, Foster said: “It’s welcoming, it’s open. It’s at the very heart of a new neighbourhood. And then it’s part of the city of Manchester, the fastest-growing city in the United Kingdom, a city, again, like no other.
“Normally, a stadium would take 10 years to build. We half that time. Five years.
“How do we do that?
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“By prefabrication. By using the network of Manchester Ship Canal. Bringing it back to a new life. Shipping in components, 160 of them, Meccano-like.
“And then we rebuild the Old Trafford station and that becomes the pivot, the processional way to the stadium, welcoming and at the heart of a new sports-led neighbourhood. It’s walkable.”