The ambitious project is forecast to cost at least £2 billion
A conceptual image of what the new Manchester United stadium could look like has received comparisons to a circus big top tent
A conceptual image of what the new stadium could look like
(Image: PA)
Manchester United's plans to build a huge new stadium have reportedly stalled over issues buying the land needed to begin the ambitious project.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the minority owner of the club, previously announced plans to build the 'Wembley of the North' as a new 100,000 seater home for the 20 time league champions. He said the project would cost at least £2 billion, and would be built on land next to United's historic home ground.
Sir Jim argued that the plans, devised by Mancunian architect Lord Norman Foster and his firm Foster + Partners, would help regenerate the wider area, including creating up to 92,000 new jobs and more than 17,000 new homes.
But the plans are reportedly being affected by a stand-off in negotiations for land which United hope to buy for the project. The Guardian reports that the club want to purchase land used as a rail freight terminal, which is owned by transport firm Freightliner.
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The paper reports that the firm is willing to relocate to St Helens, but wants £400 million for the land. Whereas United are said to value the land at between £40 million and £50 million.
A source told the paper that Freightliner 'have United over a barrel', and discussions are reported to have reached stalemate. The issue could delay United's ambitious timeline to develop and open the new ground by 2030 at the earliest.
The club have not yet received planning permission for the plans. Ambitious plans were set out earlier this year by Lord Foster.
(Image: PA)
The new ground and surrounding development, named the Old Trafford Regeneration project, would bring an additional £7.3bn per year to the UK economy and attract an extra 1.8m visitors every year, it has been claimed.
Lord Foster said the new stadium would bring fans 'closer than ever' to the pitch. Acoustically, the stadium would cultivate a 'huge roar', he said, and it would be contained by a vast umbrella which would harvest solar energy and rainwater while sheltering a new public plaza that would be twice the size of London's Trafalgar Square.
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The stadium would also have three masts, up to 200m tall symbolising the Red Devils' trident which would be visible from 40km away. Lord Foster claimed the new stadium could be built in as little as five years due to 'pre-fabrication', with some parts being built off site before being transported to Old Trafford.
Explaining how it could be done, Lord Foster said: "By using the network of Manchester Ship Canal, bringing it back to a new life, shipping in components - 160 of them, Meccano-like."