Sir Jim Ratcliffe has plenty of new options for his Old Trafford stadium rebuild should the club decide against continuing with the proposed plans for a new home unveiled earlier this month
14:50, 19 Mar 2025Updated 14:51, 19 Mar 2025
Manchester United co owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has announced his plans for a new old Trafford(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Manchester United's plans for a new £2billion stadium to replace Old Trafford were met with a mixed reaction when they were unveiled earlier this month.
The plan to build a brand new 100,000-seater stadium as part of the UK Government's regeneration of the Old Trafford area could reportedly bring in an extra £7.3bn a year to the economy, provide 92,000 new jobs and 17,000 new homes.
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But images of the conceptual design of the new stadium which were provided by architecture group Foster and Partners, who say "the outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district" were ridiculed in some parts.
The proposed new stadium includes three towers inspired by the iconic Red Devils' trident but the new designs were described by some as a 'circus tent' and United were even trolled by Butlins for their potential new home looking "a little familiar".
Speaking about the new stadium, new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has been a driving force in trying to solve the problems United have at their current home, 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.
Manchester United's proposed new stadium
Manchester United's proposed new stadium drew a mixed reaction
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“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.”
United plan to build next to their current stadium and then dismantle it once their new one is up and running, with that process expected to take 12 months, following on from the planned five years to build their new super-stadium.
But should the proposed build not come off as currently imagined, an AI supercomputer was tasked to produce some alternative options for the United board to take a look at – and it came up with some belters.
OLBG technology has imagined four possible designs including a renovated Old Trafford, a red glass design, a home next to the water, and a futuristic model.
Old Trafford reimagined
What a revamped Old Trafford could look like
What a revamped Old Trafford could look like
Co-owner Ratcliffe and United could stay put at their current home but improve all aspects of the ground, including that pesky leaking roof, with this updated version of their historic stadium.
At home on the water
AI generated picture of a potential stadium
This funky-shaped design would be unique
Everton have done it, so why not move United's stomping grounds a little further and make the new ground a real destination location with this curvy number?
Glass act
AI generated picture of a potential stadium
The bright lights here would look stunning at night
This towering stadium could easily fit the 100,000 fans Ratcliffe wants to fit inside the new version of Old Trafford, with its glass design seriously impressive.
Back to the future
AI generated picture of a potential stadium
This futuristic design is bathed in a red glow
This inspiring design looks much more in keeping with other new stadiums built by some of the biggest clubs in the world in recent years, while also future-proofing the site for the foreseeable.
There might be some food for thought there as United begin to look to move away from their current home and give a boost to their current situation in the Premier League.
A sad end
What the current Old Trafford stadium might look like while waiting to be dismantled
What the current Old Trafford stadium might look like while waiting to be dismantled
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As well as those designs, the AI computer has also generated some images of what a derelict Old Trafford awaiting demolition might look like.
It looks almost as bad as United have been on the pitch at times this season.