Manchester United have already shifted the goalposts when it comes to the completion date of the new stadium.
Ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority takeover, talk began about Manchester United building a new stadium and the plans were made official in March.
United published concept photos of a 100,000-capacity stadium featuring a bold design that includes three towers that represent the trident in the club’s badge.
The new stadium is expected to cost £2bn, but Ineos are yet to source any funding for the project. There have been suggestions that a stadium naming rights deal could help provide some funding.
Originally, architects Foster + Partners said that United’s stadium would be complete by 2030, but it seems there could already be a delay.
Manchester United Announce Plans to Build New World Class Stadium
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man United stadium could be delayed
Ineos announced a very optimistic five-year timeline for the stadium project, with plans to use the surrounding canal systems to halve the expected build time.
However, Ratcliffe was warned about his 2030 deadline and now it seems United are already preparing for potential delays.
As reported by The Athletic, United are now aiming for the development to be completed in “five to six years”, which could potentially push back the opening date to 2031.
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United CEO Omar Berrada recently supported a 10-year plan to regenerate Manchester, with United’s new stadium set to be at the heart of that project.
There are still hopes that work on the stadium will begin this year, although there have so far been no signs that it is close to being started.
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Ineos will have extremely high hopes for the new stadium and the transformative effect it can have on the club.
Not only will the new stadium provide £200m in revenue each year, but it will also make Old Trafford the biggest stadium in Britain.
It will be the home of Manchester United, but Ineos will also want to maximise its usage for events such as concerts and other sporting showpieces.
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The Athletic report from above claims United want to host the 2035 women’s World Cup final as one of their primary goals.
Old Trafford was snubbed for Euro 2028, but a new stadium would put United back in the picture for hosting events like the Champions League final and international matches among other things.