Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have delivered their biggest statement of intent so far at Manchester United with their ambitious new plans for a stadium.
Man Utd announced new stadium plans with some first-look pictures of what the stadium could look like, a 100,000-seater at the heart of a regenerated surrounding area.
Norman Foster is executing the project as Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally gets his wish of a new stadium over redeveloping Old Trafford.
While the discussion will rightly surround the optics of the new stadium, or an emotional goodbye to Old Trafford, a key detail in their announcement also shows they’ve avoided a nightmare scenario.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Man Utd’s new stadium avoids nightmare scenario
Amidst all the problems at Man Utd currently, the stadium is arguably at the top of the long-term ones, with Old Trafford reduced to a husk of its former glories.
The Glazers’ apathy of doing the bare minimum to keep it functional has led to the stadium being left far behind its competitors in all departments.
Therefore, the new stadium was the only true alternative, with the existing stadium’s redevelopment only an emotional plea at this point.
However, a question hanging over the club in both those scenarios is where United would play while the new stadium is being built, if it is to be built at the same site as Old Trafford?
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That question has been answered in the press release as United are set to construct the new stadium next to Old Trafford and the club will continue to play their games at the current stadium while it’s built.
This clarity was the ideal scenario when the stadium talk began and it avoids a nightmare scenario on two fronts, financial and competitive.
Man Utd playing at Old Trafford is crucial
At a time when Sir Jim Ratcliffe accepted the club was close to being completely out of cash by the end of the year, moving away from the stadium, even in the near future wasn’t ideal.
United own Old Trafford and for all its faults, it remains one of the biggest stadiums in England so matchday revenue is a huge factor.
Moving to a smaller site or, like Spurs, playing their “home” games at Wembley would have resulted in loss of revenue, not a small portion by any means in the bigger picture.
Then there’s the competitive factor of continuing to play in front of the Stretford End and all the memories and legacy that Old Trafford carries.
Despite recent home struggles, Old Trafford has historically been a fortress where most points are won by United, so leaving the ground means losing competitive advantage.
With one declaration, United have avoided both these nightmare scenarios.