Ineos will make one of the biggest decisions in Manchester United’s entire history later this year.
Since the minority takeover was completed in December, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have floated the idea of building a new state-of-the-art stadium for Manchester United.
Ineos put together a task force to help assess their options, which has been narrowed down to either redeveloping Old Trafford or building a new 100,000-seater stadium nearby.
A new stadium is set to cost around £2bn, but it could transform the club entirely with finance expert Adam Williams exclusively revealing that United could earn £230m per season from a new stadium.
A final recommendation on the stadium is set to be delivered by the task force in December 2024, meaning fans could learn the final verdict early next year.
United legend Gary Neville is part of the task force assembled by Ineos and he has laid out a five-year plan for United’s new stadium. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, is also on the board and he has now delivered a message for supporters.
Andy Burnham on Manchester United stadium
Regardless of what Ineos choose to do, it will be one of the biggest decisions in Manchester United’s history.
The Red Devils have called Old Trafford home since 1910. Moving away from such a historical and iconic venue would be heart-wrenching, but it also may be an essential step to move forward.
Old Trafford has fallen so far behind other Premier League grounds. It is outdated and the leaking roof has become a shameful topic and a hard-hitting depiction of the club under the Glazers.
Burnham, who is involved in the decision-making process, shared details on the stadium plan and delivered a message to United supporters.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Burnham said: “I can understand, as an Evertonian, the emotional appeal of regenerating your old spiritual home, but sometimes it doesn’t make sense because you can’t have the best stadium in the world if you do that.
“You also get the disruption then of trying to rebuild while still playing at that stadium, or you have to relocate away from it.
“So obviously that has to be considered against the cost of a new build and that is what the club is going through at this moment in time.
“What I could say to Manchester United supporters is that we want to help your club – if they go for a new build – to do it as close to their spiritual home of Old Trafford.
“I think this would be the single most significant football location in the world. I think it would mean the North West of England would have the best football infrastructure of anywhere else on the planet.
“I think the jobs that would be clustered around this stadium would be huge. It would obviously link into Media City. This would create a development on the west of Greater Manchester to balance what Manchester City have done in the east.
“What’s not to like about all of that?”
Man United legends weigh in on stadium debate
Stick or twist? The decision around United’s stadium plans has well and truly split opinion.
Neville has already shown his support for the club building a “super stadium”, and now as part of the decision-making board he can have his say.
READ MORE: Viral video shows Man United ready to tap into £77bn goldmine with Old Trafford rebuild
Paul Scholes is in favour of knocking Old Trafford down as he believes the stadium has fallen too far behind some of United’s rivals.
Also, Andy Cole gave his verdict on Old Trafford, suggesting that fans deserve a “world-class” stadium.
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