Andy Burnham is the former Manchester mayor, current MP for Makerfield and the frontrunner to succeed Keir Starmer as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He is also a Manchester United supporter.
While construction has yet to begin on the new Manchester United stadium, Andy Burnham has already been heavily involved in the redevelopment of the area.
United plan to develop a 100,000-seater stadium to replace Old Trafford with a state of the art venue.
After months of frustration and being unable to start construction due to land disputes with Freightliner, United landed alternative land on wharfside where the project can begin.
This is despite Burnham no longer being the Mayor of Manchester.
United now plan for the new stadium to be ready for 2035 – What do you think about this?
What Andy Burnham told Andy Mitten about the new stadium
With Keir Starmer announcing he will step down as both the leader of the Labour party and also Prime Minister, Manchester’s own Andy Burnham is tipped to replace him.
Burnham was a big supporter of the new stadium, and now Andy Mitten has revealed what he had said privately about it to him.
Speaking on Talk of the Devils, Mitten revealed what Burnham privately told him about United’s new stadium.
“I met him a couple of years ago for a cup of tea and talked about the stadium.
“The feeling I got from him was that public money would not be used for the actual stadium, but Andy Burnham was predisposed to help assist Manchester United, that this project was going to be good for Manchester, it was going to be good for the north of England, and he could do anything that he would do.
“I don’t think that sentiment is going to go away.”
Burnham acknowledges that United aren’t just building a stadium, but are redeveloping an entire area, creating jobs and a destination within Manchester for more than just football fans.
Man Utd have FINALLY acquired the land to build the new stadium – What is your reaction?
Burnham now has even more power to help with Old Trafford redevelopment
Regarding the new Prime Minister race, Burnham is far and away the most popular choice, appearing to be the only realistic candidate.
This could benefit United in the stadium plans.
Burnham sees the benefit in United’s plans, for the city of Manchester and also even wider, the entire North West.
It would be a first of its kind area, somewhere more common in London, but would be huge for the economy of Manchester and surrounding areas.
If Burnham does become the PM, he would be able to pull even more strings to back this development.
United will have to pay for the stadium, but the help for the redevelopment of surrounding areas should be available.
It could also help with getting approval for the plans.
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