For once, the narrative around Manchester United is not all panic and nightmares since it’s been replaced by some good and ambitious news.
Man Utd have announced a new stadium plan where they’ll move out of Old Trafford entirely for a new, 100,000-seater to be executed by Norman Foster.
It is the crown jewel of a broader scheme by the council to regenerate the surrounding area of Manchester as well, an extremely ambitious plan.
While that’s all off the pitch, United will also certainly break a record on the pitch, set by their city rivals no less, as soon as they play their first game at the stadium.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd’s new stadium set to break Man City record
Since the UAE consortium arrived at Manchester City like a hurricane and forced City to an equal, then higher footing than United competitively, the gap has widened.
While the Glazers’ apathy has left Old Trafford to rot, sometimes even literally, City owners have pumped billions into their club.
However, the enduring brand power of United is such that it invites pressure and fanfare like no other club in English football.
That is why it’s almost certain that when United play their first game in their new stadium, probably in five years when it’s expected to be finished, they’ll do so in front of 100k fans.
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With that, a record set by Manchester City all the way back in 1934 will be shattered.
On March 3, 1934, Manchester City took on Stoke City for an FA Cup game that saw a record 84,569 people turn up at Maine Road to watch.
That remains the record for the highest attendance at an English club ground, with Spurs’ spell at Wembley not considered since they were only renting it.
With United owning their stadium, they will blow past that mark with ease, considering United’s season ticket waiting line is in the thousands even when the club is struggling.
Ineos showing ambition Man Utd craved
For all their faults and criticisms of their actions, Ineos‘ intentions cannot be doubted, which is what Sir Jim Ratcliffe said as well in a recent interview.
He said that while he knows he’s not a popular figure right now, Ineos and the fans share the same ambition- to bring United back to the top, competing for silverware.
Between this ambitious plan and executive changes, they have put their money where their mouth is and shown more intent in less than a year than the Glazers did in decades.
Admittedly, that’s not a high bar to clear, but Ratcliffe is clearly a man who wants to be remembered for his legacy at Man Utd as a boyhood fan.
This stadium will stand as the biggest contributor to it. If a successful team lands in it, as is everyone’s hope, then all will be forgotten in the big picture.