Manchester United are pushing on with plans to build a new state-of-the-art stadium despite the team's struggles on the pitch
An image of what Manchester United's new stadium could look like
Manchester United hope to have their new ground up and running by 2035(Image: PA)
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Former Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards has told the club to scrap plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium and instead invest the money into the squad. United currently sit in 17th place in the Premier League and are only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.
United's struggles so far this season come amidst plans for the team to move out of Old Trafford into a state-of-the-art new stadium, dubbed the 'Wembley of the North'. Plans took a step forward as the club spent £63.5 million on a 25-acre plot of land to advance the project, which could be completed by around 2035.
Fans have also been given the chance to have their say on topics including the stadium, heritage and legacy, atmosphere, the wider campus and travel to and from the stadium.
However, there has been some backlash from fans in the stands, with some chanting against the new stadium during protests against co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.
Edwards, who was chairman between 1980 and 2002, has now spoken out against the idea. He told Keys and Gray Unleashed: "There's no point in having a wonderful stadium if you can't fill it.
Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards and manager Alex Ferguson pose with the league title before the FA Barclaycard Premiership match against Sunderland played at Old Trafford.
Edwards was United's chairman during a successful period for the club(Image: Michael Steele /Allsport)
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"The crowd have been vociferous about what they could do with the new stadium. And I tell you what – I can sympathise with that.
"You can talk about new stadiums and everything else, but the most important ingredient is always the players and what's happening on the field – and success.
"Now the last thing the United fans want to hear is a new stadium when they've got a team that's languishing 17th in the league, below Coventry.
"The priority has to be the team. Concentrate on getting that right. United now needs investment. I mean, they probably need investment on the stadium itself. So the club needs investment spending. The team definitely needs investment, doesn't it?
Diogo Dalot of Manchester United looks dejected after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on October 25, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom
Michael Carrick's side are struggling on the pitch(Image: Getty)
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"When I look at the team sheet, I think, why isn't it performing? You know, there are some good individuals on that. It's down to choice. Did they need midfielders? Do they need a left-back or centre-forward?"
United spent around £163million on new signings in the summer. The transfer window saw the likes of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba arrive at the club.
Despite interest in signing a left-back in the final weeks of the window, United were left with just Luke Shaw as the only senior player in the position when the window closed. Benjamin Sesko's injury has also left United short in the striker department, despite heavy investment in attack in summer 2025.