Sir Jim Ratcliffe compared Manchester United's new stadium to the Eiffel Tower
The club has proposed the new venue will be completed within just five years
LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! With the Premier League likely securing five Champions League spots, are we rewarding mediocrity?
By STEFAN BURGHILA
Published: 07:03 EDT, 11 March 2025 | Updated: 07:03 EDT, 11 March 2025
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has insisted Manchester United's new stadium will resemble the famous Eiffel Tower as the club has finally unveiled their plans for the 'New Trafford'.
The Red Devils hope all the work on their new home will be finished within five years, while the legendary Old Trafford has been their ground since 1910.
It is understood that Man United plan to demolish their current stadium in order to make way for a new, 100,000-seat venue.
In order to achieve their plans, the club confirmed they would require £2billion - funded mainly by the current board - while they also sought government support for the wider infrastructure and regeneration project.
However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who vowed ahead of the presentation that he would deliver 'the world's greatest stadium', was full of hope as the Red Devils finally showed photos of their new home.
'It’s more than a new stadium. Everyone knows the Eiffel Tower, everyone wants to visit,' he said on Tuesday.
Sir Jim Racliffe has compared Manchester United's new £2billion stadium to the Eiffel Tower
It comes after the Red Devils unveiled their plan to build a stunning, 100,000-capacity new Old Trafford
Ratcliffe and United's board have proposed that the new venue will be completed within just five years
'Everyone in the world will want to come visit this stadium.'
Undeniably, the new venue will have many visitors after footage demonstrated plans for a three-storey museum and canal-side restaurants as a part of a vast village.
The newly unveiled project has been Ratcliffe's priority since he took a 29 per cent share at Man United a year ago.
Ahead of the presentation, he said: 'Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world's greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford.
'Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport.
'By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience, only footsteps from our historic home.
'Just as important is the opportunity for a new stadium to be the catalyst for social and economic renewal of the Old Trafford area, creating jobs and investment not just during the construction phase but on a lasting basis when the stadium district is complete.
'The Government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priority, particularly in the north of England, and we are proud to be supporting that mission with this project of national, as well as local, significance.'
United have vowed to 'preserve the essence of Old Trafford' in the new stadium
Ratcliffe believes the project ¿will preserve the essence of Old Trafford¿ while transforming the fan experience only footsteps from our existing home¿
Architect Lord Norman Foster claims the stadium will bring fans ¿closer than ever to the pitch¿
The existing Old Trafford, which has been Man United's home since 1910, will be demolished
However, at the press conference after the presentation, the club's CEO Omar Berrada revealed that they haven't secured funding yet, but the board is confident the project will attract much interest.
Meanwhile, Lord Sebastian Coe added that the project would focus on pleasing the Red Devils' fanbase and Manchester community, including people, neighbourhoods and networks.
His comments came just two days after United fans from The 1958 group held a protest against the Glazers and Ratcliffe before the Ruben Amorim side's clash against Arsenal in the Premier League.
The supporters made their feelings known by displaying homemade banners and marching to Old Trafford from The Tollgate pub.
Manchester UnitedJim Ratcliffe