UK and Ireland have submitted their final stadium list in their bid to host Euro 2028 – but Manchester United’s stadium, Old Trafford, didn’t make the final cut.
Old Trafford is the largest club stadium in the entirety of the UK, which has left fans of the sport baffled as to why it hasn’t been chosen as one of the venues to host the prestigious tournament.
Even Manchester City’s stadium – the Etihad, which is significantly smaller has made the list. So why hasn’t Old Trafford been included in the final ten options submitted?
Here is everything you need to know about
Why hasn’t Old Trafford been chosen to host Euro 2028?
First of all, it’s important to note that each of the five nations involved in the bid must be represented by having a stadium which is used.
This means that Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland all needed at least one stadium representing their nation – which left six spots remaining.
London had to have a few venues, with Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium being the obvious choices, alongside one club from the midlands, which is Villa Park and one in the North East – St James’ Park.
This left two open spots for the North West – which on paper looked destined for Old Trafford and Anfield.
However, the board opted for the Etihad and Everton’s new stadium, which hasn’t even been built yet – why?
Simple. The modernisation of these grounds gave them the edge. Old Trafford and Anfield alike although historically famous, have been left to rot over the years and just aren’t up to the scratch needed to host a major tournament.
This is really embarrassing for a club of Manchester United’s stature, and serious blame lies on the Glazer family, who have left the stadium almost identical to when they purchased the club.
There is also the factor that by 2028 the stadium could be under reconstruction. This will depend on potential new owners.
‘An all-time low’: Gary Neville shares his thoughts
Gary Neville spoke with the Daily Mail on the situation: “The Glazer family have, for years, been warned about a lack of investment in Old Trafford.
“They have overseen a decline for 20 years in which it has gone from being one of the best stadiums in the world to one that can’t even get into the top ten in the UK and Ireland. This is an all-time low. That it is not in the best ten to host a tournament is a joke.”
We’re inclined to agree with the United Legend. The stadium has been neglected for too long and it’s now borderline embarrassing.
Which stadiums have been included in the Euro 2028 bid?
The 10 proposed grounds are:
• Wembley Stadium – London
• National Stadium of Wales – Cardiff
• Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – London
• City of Manchester Stadium – Manchester
• Everton Stadium – Liverpool
• St James’ Park – Newcastle
• Villa Park – Birmingham
• Hampden Park – Glasgow
• Dublin Arena – Dublin
• Casement Park – Belfast
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