Manchester United fans have taken to social media following the unveiling of plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium which would cost around £2billion.
United part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had previously broached the idea of building a new state-of-the-art stadium instead of regenerating Old Trafford - and plans have been met with a largely positive response, although there are plenty who have mixed feelings over the prospect of leaving their current home.
Old Trafford, United's home for the last 115 years, would be destroyed in order to make way for the new ground. And while the majority of fans accept that building a new stadium is the right move, confirmation that the club would like to move on from Old Trafford is bittersweet.
One fan wrote on X: "A very sad day for me knowing Old Trafford will be knocked down I’ll get to see the new stadium god willing but following Manchester United will never be the same again for me."
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Another fan said: "That new stadium does look unbelievable but I'm sad about leaving Old Trafford, I feel like we'll lose our soul, I hope I'm wrong though!", while another social media user posted: "Old Trafford - probably the right decision but I feel sick."
Others were excited by the plans, saying: "New stadium looks amazing," while another wrote: "I’ve literally been completely against the idea until now. That stadium is going to be unreal & to be a season ticket holder there… I can’t f****** wait!!!!"
Tuesday's big news included a first look at how the new stadium would look with a striking trident design which would span into the Manchester skyline.
New Manchester United stadium design
Manchester United have announced plans to build a new stadium
(
Image:
Foster + Partners)
While the news is exciting, it comes less than 24 hours after Ratcliffe laid the club's financial struggles bare. With that in mind, the Manchester United Supporters Trust responded by saying the announcement 'leaves more questions than answers'.
A spokesperson said: “The announcement of plans to build a brand new stadium adjacent to Old Trafford is clearly very big news for United fans. Everyone wants the biggest and the best for our Club and the visuals look both stunning and exciting. But against the backdrop of uncertainty around next year’s ticket prices, continuing poor performance on the field, speculation around sales of key young players, and the recent financial results, the news probably does beg more questions than it gives clear answers.
“As our own and the club’s consultations have shown, the answer to whether United fans want to refurbish Old Trafford or build a new ground depends entirely on what the consequences of the decision are. So now that decisions have been made, fans will need to be consulted all along the way on the key features that impact match-going fans’ experience and atmosphere. Whilst investment is much-needed and welcome, fans remain anxious about what it means and what the consequences will be.
“Will it drive up ticket prices and force out local fans? Will it harm the atmosphere, which is consistently fans’ top priority in the ground? Will it add to the debt burden which has held back the club for the last two decades? Will it lead to reduced investment in the playing side at a time when it is so badly needed?
The new stadium would be able to host 100,000 fans ( Image: Foster + Partners)
“We look forward to further consultation with supporters discussing these vital questions with the Club. If they are able to produce a new stadium as stunning as the plans suggest without harming the atmosphere, without hiking ticket prices and without harming investment elsewhere, then this could be very exciting. But until the questions are answered, our optimism about plans to make Old Trafford the biggest and the best again will be restrained by caution about what the consequences for fans might be.”
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