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United consider new 100,000 capacity stadium

Manchester United will decide by the end of the year if they want to revamp Old Trafford or build a new 100,000-seat stadium on the grounds of their present home.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Ineos chairman who owns 27.7 per cent of the club, has told the stadium taskforce that was set up in April that they should report back in December with their findings.

At present, the taskforce, which is led by Lord Coe and includes figures such as Gary Neville and the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is leaning towards recommending that a new stadium is built in the car park area behind the Stretford End, rather than a revamp of the existing ground. However, the club say that no final decision has been made.

The taskforce acknowledges that building a new stadium would be costly, at an estimated £2billion, and says that any decision will not be made without canvassing the opinions of the supporters.

The club have already asked 30,000 fans for their thoughts in a survey. A subcommittee of the taskforce is set to be appointed, including a representative of the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, to gauge the mood of fans.

The club are not ruling out a revamp of the present stadium and it would be the cheaper option, at an estimated cost of £1billion, but United would also lose match-day revenue because they would probably have to close part of the 74,100-capacity stadium while building works are undertaken.  The club have about 51,000 season-ticket holders.

If United do build a new stadium, they have vowed to ensure that the arena is in keeping with United’s traditions. Landmarks such as the Holy Trinity Statue, depicting Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law, would be protected.

It is anticipated that a new stadium would take six years from the point of inception to the end of construction. United would be able to play in the present stadium, built in 1910, while a new ground is built.

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