Manchester United investors Ineos are inviting views over redevelopment of Old Trafford and the surrounding area.
Plans are being stepped up as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos prepare for a generation-defining infrastructure project which will shape the future of Manchester United.
A decision will eventually be made whether to build an entirely new stadium or re-develop the existing Old Trafford, both of which would include also re-generating the entire area.
In the recent days activity has been ramped up…
- Architects Foster + Partners appointed by Manchester United to develop ‘masterplan’ for surrounding area.
- Fan survey launched inviting views on matchday experience and hopes for future.
- New economic reports claim project could boost UK economy by £7.3 billion.
Jean-Claude Blanc views on stadium
One of the members of Ineos’ board at Manchester United is Jean-Claude Blanc, the CEO of Ineos Sport, who was lured away from a high profile role at Paris Saint-Germain.
Jean-Claude Blanc previously worked at Juventus CEO, and played a key role in their planning, where they left the Stadio delle Alpi for their new Juventus Stadium.
During his time at PSG, the topic of moving away from the Parc des Princes was also under discussion, and remains so.
In an interview earlier in 2024, Blanc told French outlet La Tribune Dimanche that Old Trafford was under review.
He said: “Old Trafford was at the forefront for years but is being caught up. Modernisation or a new Old Trafford? All options are on the table. We can see that things are moving a lot.”
Pointing to new stadiums opened at Tottenham and Real Madrid, he pointed to the club’s need to be leaders.
Blanc believes long-term, decisions to improve or build stadia is the smart move, adding: “You have to have the courage to invest in infrastructure rather than in players. It creates additional revenue that allows you to reinvest in talent.”
Fans hold key says Blanc
Manchester United are seeking the input of supporters into the club’s decision-making, and Blanc cites the whole matchday experience as being essential to the success of the project.
He said: “The key is the quality of the fan experience.”
He explained that the experience for a typical supporter “begins when he downloads his ticket on his phone, it continues when he arrives at the stadium and ends when he returns home. So you have to be sure that it doesn’t become an adventure to go there.”
“If the fan who bought his ticket or a season ticket hesitates because he has thirty minutes of transport, we risk a no-show. And an empty seat, even paid for, is a failure.”
Blanc oversaw bold capacity call at Juventus
Blanc explained that his plan is always to create conditions where teams can sell out stadiums, whatever the fixture, not just counting on big games.
He said: “The rule that I always set for my teams is this: we don’t look for ways to fill the stadium for a Juve-Milan but for the arrival of Lecce on a Wednesday evening at zero degrees.”
There has been speculation over what kind of capacity a brand new Old Trafford could hold. Would it be 90,000? 100,000?
At Juventus, they actually downsized from a rarely full Stadio delle Alpi which held 67,000, yet was a poor fan experience due to the running track around the pitch, and average attendances were around half that, with masses of empty seats on show, contributing to a poor atmosphere.
Their new Juventus Stadium was built with a 41,000 capacity, and is now regularly full.
Blanc explained: “We could have built a bigger stadium. But the average attendance at the old one was 35,000 spectators. Why aim for 60,000? What costs the most to build is the last seat, at the top, and it’s the cheapest to sell.
“We have to find the right capacity to deliver the right experience of proximity and magnify the sporting spectacle.”
Manchester United’s capacity issue will go the other way. United regularly exceed 74,000 in terms of attendance, and will likely be able to reach 90,000 without problem, and could go higher.
Blanc’s comments illustrate that there will be careful thought which goes into it. United would plan around the smaller fixtures – not just the big games, and they want everything to be linked in.
The plans to improve the infrastructure around the stadium feed into the fan experience points Blanc raises.
Manchester United have a chance to do something really special, and Blanc’s comments show that he cares deeply about the project, has experience, understands what is at stake, and is willing to take or back bold decisions.
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