Man Utd unveiled plans for a new 100,000-seater Old Trafford last week and the design of the stadium was questioned.
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What the new 100,000-seater Old Trafford could look like.
Ryan Giggs believes the proposed 'trident' design for a new 100,000-seater Old Trafford won't happen.
United unveiled ambitious plans for a state-of-the-art 100,000-seater stadium at an event in London last week, and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said it could be built in five years.
Architecture firm Foster + Partners has been appointed to design the new stadium and mock-up images have been shared, although the 'trident' design, to symbolise the three-pronged spear the devil wields in the United crest, has been mocked by supporters on social media.
Some fans have suggested the design looks like a circus tent. The jokes have written themselves and it's thought the trident could be spotted from the Peak District provided it's built.
Giggs spoke to the Manchester Evening News on Thursday evening ahead of the inaugural gala dinner for Foundation 92, an independent charity that was founded by the Class of '92.
"I think everyone, if it was possible, would like to keep the stadium as it is," said Giggs. "What they've done at the Nou Camp, what they've done at the Bernabeu. If that isn’t possible, then the next best thing is a new stadium.
"Man United has always been at the forefront of technology, about having the best facilities, having the best stadium, having the best fan experience and we fell behind with that.
"As well as on the pitch, off the pitch, we fell behind with a lot of things. The design is not going to look like that, I don't think. I think when you see buildings and it gets the headlines and it's that sort of shock. But if it is going to be a new stadium, which it looks like, it needs to be the best. Hopefully we get the best players on the pitch as well."
Giggs was asked about the 'circus' design. He smiled and said: "I don't think it's going to happen!"
Giggs smiled when he was asked about the design.
Nicky Butt attended the gala dinner and added: “Yeah, I think it's like anything else, isn't it? You have to move with the times and the club haven't been that dynamic for a long time.
"It's sad to say, but the ground isn't what it used to be and it's great they've got some new plans. Whether or not it's doable is anyone's guess. It's obviously a massive, massive project.
"It's going to cost a lot of money. I'd like to see it happen, but I just think there's that much money involved and there's that much things that have got to go right.
"But the thought process of trying to move in the right direction is a good thing for me, whether we get to that level or we just get a new stadium and not the facilities all around, I just don't know. I'd like to think it would happen, but I think there's a long way to go before it gets to that level."
The cost of the new stadium would be £2billion. Taxpayers will not fund the project and construction could begin as early as the end of this year.
Although the current Old Trafford is likely to be demolished, fans have been assured that features of the current stadium, like the Munich Clock, will have a home at the new stadium.
The Foundation 92 event raised £267,000 for community programmes and life-changing projects for patients at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospitals and you can read more about the charity here.