The location of Manchester United’s new 100,000-capacity stadium has been revealed, but fans still have plenty of concerns and questions about the club’s physical infrastructure.
Manchester United completed a land purchase last month, a significant development, meaning the new stadium will be built approximately 350 metres north west of Old Trafford.
Trafford Council published a ‘masterplan’ for the sports-led regeneration of Trafford Wharfside, which is supported by partners such as the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation (OTR MDC), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
United have since confirmed that supporter consultation will continue as the project moves into the next phase, which is a move welcomed by Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST).
Man Utd have FINALLY acquired the land to build the new stadium – What is your reaction?
MUST outline six key questions about Man Utd’s stadium plans
MUST issued a statement in response to the latest developments regarding United’s new stadium.
In doing so, MUST welcomed United’s promise to consult fans, but they also outlined six key concerns that fans have about moving from Old Trafford to a new 100,000-capacity stadium.
Next week they will present the findings from their latest survey on the future of Old Trafford, which had 3,200 responses, to the club. The objective is clear: ensure supporters’ views genuinely influence decisions before they are made, rather than reacting when it’s too late.
Some fans want Old Trafford to be preserved and redeveloped. Others see the benefits of moving to a newer and bigger stadium.
However, in Thursday’s statement from MUST, six key issues fans want addressed are listed.
- Affordability: Keeping football accessible for ordinary supporters.
- Atmosphere: Protecting the culture that makes Old Trafford unique and not swapping it for a soulless bowl.
- Funding: Understanding the balance between debt, equity and other avenues of funding.
- Fan ownership: Considering whether supporters should be able to invest through fan shares.
- No PSLs in GA areas: Avoiding Personal Seat Licences in general admission and season ticket areas.
- Heritage and identity: Respecting the club’s history, traditions and matchday identity.
Finding out the answers to these questions will help more fans make up their minds over whether United should be moving away from Old Trafford to a new stadium.
United now plan for the new stadium to be ready for 2035 – What do you think about this?
No decision made on future of existing Old Trafford
One fear many United fans have is what will happen to the existing Old Trafford when the new stadium is completed.
According to Andy Mitten, no decision has been made on Old Trafford, meaning there are still big details missing from the club’s new stadium announcements.
CEO of new stadium development, Collette Roche, told BBC Sport that United will consider a naming rights deal to help fund the new stadium.
That’s unlikely to be a popular move among match-going fans.
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