Manchester United's plans to build a new stadium have taken a step forward this week.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United's hopes of building a new stadium to replace Old Trafford took a step forward this week as confidence grows on purchasing land near to the ground.
In the latest fans' forum minutes, a United spokesperson explained that the club were 'optimistic' that they would be able to agree a deal for the land on the rail yard, which is owned by Freightliner, 'in the coming months'. Reports had suggested that Freightliner valued the land at around £350m but Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham played down that figure.
MEN Sport has had a look at what some of the key figures in the process - including Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Gary Neville - have said about the new stadium.
Gary Neville
Neville has spoken openly of his desire to see the Reds build a new stadium near the Theatre of Dreams. Earlier this year, he wrote on LinkedIn: "Well, I’ve been harping on about the stadium for years now.
"My honest view with United is that it’s non-negotiable that we should have the best stadium in the world and the best training ground. We know football always moves in cycles and you can never guarantee success on the pitch, but we hope that that returns quickly.
"However, it’s always in the control of the owners of the club to be the best in class when it comes to where we play football and train. I’ve really enjoyed being on the task force and when we were presented with the vision in our last meeting on Friday my initial feeling was 'here we go'.
"There’s a lot of work to do on and off the pitch to make the stadium happen but if what we are looking at today and in this video are delivered then Manchester United will be back where it belongs when it comes to its stadium and ground. The task force is now closed and I hope the club can get this project away as quickly as possible and get 100,000 United fans in that stadium with hopefully a successful team on the pitch."
Sir Jim Ratcliffe
It has been well documented that Ratcliffe's preference since buying a minority stake in the football club has been to build a new stadium, rather than re-develop the existing ground. When asked about why it was important to move out of Old Trafford and his thoughts on fans being potentially upset at the decision, the Ineos founder explained: "I think I sort of get that and I understand that sort of attachment to the past.
An artist's interpretation of what Manchester United's new stadium could look following the regeneration programme
How United's new stadium could look
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"But really at the end of the day, I think for the fans, the single most important thing is that we win silverware, you know? I mean, what raises your spirits at the weekend is when we win football matches.
"If we lose a football match at the end, it sort of dampens your spirits, doesn't it? But we want to see the best footballers in the world winning football matches playing for Manchester United, and I think that's what we'll achieve with the new stadium.
"I think that's more difficult in the old stadium. My only interest in Manchester United is that we get it back to the greatness, really to the place where it should be.
"You know, we all think of Real Madrid as being a fabulous team or Barcelona. We don't think about Manchester United in those terms at the moment.
"But we should be thinking about Manchester United in those terms. It should be one of the top three or four teams in Europe, and that's where I want to get United back to."
Lord Seb Coe
In July, United confirmed that Lord Seb Coe had been appointed as the Chair-Designate of the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) for the Old Trafford Regeneration project. Coe will be one of the key figures working to deliver the plans to create not just the new stadium, but redevelop the area surrounding Old Trafford too.
"I’m delighted that I’ve been asked to be the chair designate of the proposed Old Trafford Mayoral Development Corporation," Coe explained in a statement. "Throughout my career, I’ve seen the difference that sports-led regeneration can make in fostering strong communities and acting as a catalyst for economic growth.
"That was certainly true of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics – and now, I believe, Greater Manchester’s moment has come. Working with Trafford Council and the Mayor, there’s huge potential to bring new homes and jobs to the area around the Manchester United stadium.
"And looking ahead, I see a chance to bring the FIFA Women’s World Cup to a new Old Trafford Stadium in 2035. The home nations are the sole bidder, which presents a rare opportunity to bid to host the global football family."
Sir Alex Ferguson
United's legendary former manager gave his seal of approval to the new stadium in March when the plans were first revealed. "Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in," the 83-year-old explained.
"Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made."
Lord Norman Foster
The architect behind the plans for the new stadium, Lord Norman Foster, insisted in March that the new stadium plans should excite United supporters. "This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance," he explained.
"It all starts with the fans’ experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar. The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square.
"The outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature. It is a mixed-use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of."
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