Man United are hopeful of moving into their new 100,000-seater stadium for the start of the 2030/31 season.
An image of what Manchester United's new stadium could look like
Manchester United hope to have their new stadium open by the start of the 2030/31 season
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Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke believes the new stadium move is crucial for the club's development moving forward. In March, the club confirmed plans to leave Old Trafford and move to a new stadium.
The choice not to renovate Old Trafford has split opinion among fans. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has insisted he would rather move to a new stadium but some fans will understandably be reluctant to move away from such a historic stadium.
While Yorke understands the sentimental reasons for some fans not wanting to move, he explained to MEN Sport why he feels the new stadium is essential. "I think the new stadium will be a welcome one," he said as an ambassador for Escapist Magazine.
"When you look at other teams like Tottenham and [Arsenal] at the Emirates Stadium, United are still the biggest club in English football. In my opinion, they need to go and raise the bar so wherever the new stadium was going to be won't distract players, they still have that profile.
"If you look at the last turnover they published, it was in the £600m-mark without winning a trophy. To still generate that kind of interest tells you [how big a club it is]. United will always be attracting players whether they are winning or losing - it doesn't matter where they are going to play.
"I can understand the local people who have always gone, and were raised, going to the Theatre of Dreams but, in reality, times move on and you have got to move with time. The game has changed.
"You have seen how the United team of old used to play compared to today, so we have got to go with the times. And as much as there will be some unhappy fans around, it is just how the world evolves but I don't think it will change how they attract players."
Of course, it is not just the concept of moving to a new stadium which has caused growing concerns from some sections of the fanbase. The idea of a permitted seat licence (PSL) has been mooted once United leave Old Trafford.
This concept is more common in American sports. Buying a PSL would give fans the right to buy a specific seat for a set period, but they would have to pay separately for their season ticket.
While this idea has not been given the green light and is subject to further fan consultations, it has increased scepticism towards the project. On the flip side, a new stadium would increase the opportunities for United to raise revenue.
United will hope they can manage to attract further sporting events to the new ground and they have been listed as one of the venues for the 2035 Women's World Cup bid.