EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United presented plans for a £1 billion rebuild of Old Trafford and a £2 billion new stadium on the land around the Theater of Dreams…
- Man United have been given a slew of stadium expansion options
- Plans include the demolition of Old Trafford and the construction of a brand new home
- Situation is on hold, and any expansion will likely be decided by new owners
Manchester United have been given a whole range of stadium expansion options including the demolition of Old Trafford and the construction of a brand new home.
In March last year, Sportsmail revealed it was a drastic and hugely expensive move was one of those considered.
The following month, lead consultants Legends International and Populous – who were responsible for Spurs’ new home – were appointed and are reported to have now completed their assignment.
Manchester United have been given a slew of stadium expansion options
Late last year, club officials were presented with plans including a refurbishment of Old Trafford and a new home that would most likely be built on the club’s acres of land around the Theater of Dreams.
However, the situation is now effectively on hold, and any expansion is likely to be decided by new owners.
United is currently for sale and it is believed that interested parties will have access to the plans and likely costs involved. A new home, which would have the advantage of allowing United to continue playing at Old Trafford while the work is carried out, could cost nearly £2bn. And, given the complications involved, an upgrade to the club’s 112-year-old home could also cost more than £1 billion.
A major focus of any project would be on revamping the club’s lucrative hospitality business
United execs were presented with two general concepts. One was based on staying at Old Trafford, while the other was a move to a new state-of-the-art stadium.
Each of the two concepts then had different options, including in terms of capacity.
While an increase is expected from the current 74,000, the main focus of any project would be revamping the club’s lucrative hospitality business.
Demand is currently so high that some punters pay to dine at the nearby Old Trafford cricket ground before walking to the stadium itself.
The Glazer family announced in November that they were seeking outside investment and would consider a possible sale
No final costs have been presented, the concepts give an indication of the types of financing required.
In November, the Glazer family announced they were seeking outside investment, which may include a sale. They’ve tasked the Raine Group, the investment bankers who oversaw the Chelsea takeover last year, with finding the best deal.
Joe Ravitch, Raine partner and co-founder, is leading the search. He was instrumental in the sale of Chelsea, with the club going for a hefty £2.5bn, with a further £1.75bn investment promised.
Manchester United declined to comment.
