Manchester United reveal next stage of Old Trafford redevelopment project | OneFootball

It was long overdue and took new owners for it to happen but Old Trafford is finally getting the attention and respect it deserves.

After Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s tall ambition of making it “The Wembley of the North”, his words are being backed up by actions.

The first meeting of the Old Trafford regeneration project was held recently and now the club have revealed the next stage of the project.

The Daily Mail reports that while United have still not finalised which direction they’ll take- New stadium or refurbishment of the existing one, what either direction would look like has become clearer.

If the club decides to undertake refurbishment work on the existing stadium, its focus will be on building a “new world-class South Stand”, as per United’s Chief Operating Officer Collette Roche.

South Stand, known as The Bobby Charlton Stand, is the oldest stand in the stadium and a redevelopment of it could see the capacity of Old Trafford rise to about 90,000.

Roche said: “The first option is to redevelop the current stadium, which would; focus primarily on building a new world-class South Stand, as well as refurbishment of the other three stands.”

The other option, which Roche also talked about, is building an entirely new stadium which would come under the regeneration project.

The aim is to not just build a new stadium, but develop the area around it to create a comprehensive matchday experience for fans.

Roche said: “The alternative would be to build a new stadium on our footprint, which could significantly increase capacity, and deliver a world-leading stadium and experience for fans, the team, and other stakeholders.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already revealed that his choice would be to build a new stadium instead of putting money in to salvage a quickly decaying Old Trafford.

The Glazers’ apathy has left the current stadium in a state not befitting the club the size of Manchester United.

If a new era is truly coming, it could begin with a lot worse than the announcement of a new stadium.

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