Manchester United admit there is a “risk” their team will remain mediocre for the five years it will take to build their new £2billion stadium.
United announced a bold plan to demolish Old Trafford and build a new 100,000-seater stadium on adjacent land, with the club aiming to start the 2030-31 season in their new home.
Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the project as a “brave” move, but chief executive Omar Berrada admitted the costly project may ultimately come at the expense of the team. “That is a risk,” said Berrada. “Clearly it’s something we want to avoid.
“We don’t want to inhibit our ability to invest in the team. We want us to continue being competitive while we are building a new stadium.
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“There are various ways around that. One of the things we're looking at is to shorten the construction timelines so we can have a new stadium within five years - that’s our ambition.
“Also, in the meantime, it's by getting our finances back in order and becoming profitable. We believe that way, we can be very competitive.
“The big, big benefit this club has is that it has the biggest fanbase in the world and therefore the ability to be the No.1 in terms of the revenues that it generates.”
Manchester United hope to move into the new stadium for the 2030-31 season
Manchester United hope to move into the new stadium for the 2030-31 season
Announcing the project, United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said: “ Manchester United is the world’s most favourite football club and, in my view, is the biggest and deserves a stadium fitting of its stature.
“A really good example is the Eiffel tower. Everybody around the world knows the Eiffel tower and I’m sure that many people here who have visited Paris, you stay in a hotel, you go to the Eiffel tower.
“We have one billion people around the world who follow Manchester United. They will all want to visit this stadium. I think everybody in the world who is interested in Manchester United - and football - will want to come and visit this stadium.”
Ex-United boss Ferguson said: “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.
“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.”
United CEO Berrada also suggested that investment into the playing squad may be reduced, with Ruben Amorim tasked with getting the most out of his players.
Berrada said: “We are not necessarily going to be investing significant amounts. But that’s going to be out of choice, because we want to manage our football costs more efficiently.”
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