‘Enormous, it’s coming’ – Man United game-changing stadium plan is on the cards
Manchester United expect their fans to help pay for the new stadium as the building cost is “enormous”.
Man United have announced plans to build a 100,000-seater stadium as part of the government’s regeneration of the Old Trafford area.
The Mail reported on 24 July the club are considering charging fans up to £4,000 for the right to buy a season ticket at the new facility.
The newspaper said a highly controversial introduction of a ‘Personal Seat Licence’, which is commonplace in the US, was one of several proposals presented to fans by Minnesota-based consultants CSL International.
However, United officials have stressed no final decisions have been made and they are only at an exploratory stage as they consider implementing the system.
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider United are facing “big issues” funding the new stadium.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has insisted he wants the stadium, which will cost around £2billion, to be the “world’s greatest” and potentially be completed within five years.
https://x.com/ManUtd/status/1899483408180617313Man United fans told to be ‘careful what you wish for’ after new reveal
Borson insisted United fans need to be “careful what they wish for” as the club consider their options on how to fund the stadium.
He told Football Insider: “First of all, schemes of this nature are commonplace in the US.
“We have had them in the UK before. Both in the form of a bond with various clubs, including West Ham, and also debentures that we have at places like Wimbledon, so it’s not unheard of as a way of funding stadium.
“There is no real concept of investment of these bonds or licenses, but some people will do it. I doubt it’s going to move the dial.
“I mean, if you’re building a £2-3billion stadium, and we don’t know how much it’s going to cost or when it’s going to be built, but the cost of it is going to be enormous.
“You’re going to need more than 10,000 people buying a £4,000 license to have that seat for the next 30 years. It’s one element of the funding arrangement, but you’ve got much bigger issues with funding.
“But all this stuff’s coming. There’s no free ride. Nobody’s building a stadium for £2-3billion and not expecting the fans to pay.
“You are going to have all this sort of inventive stuff, all the stuff that goes on in the US, loads and loads of corporate facilities, loads of really ridiculous pricing for both tickets and also for drinks and things.
“We saw the Club World Cup prices. Bottles of water for $10 (£7.50), this sort of stuff. It’s all coming. Nobody’s building a £2-3billion stadium and not expecting the fans to pay. Fans need to be careful what they wish for on this.
“But new things like personal seat licenses, unfortunately, I think they are coming.”
Man United turn their attention to striker who nearly joined Arsenal
In terms of a potential incoming at Old Trafford, Football Insider revealed on 22 July United are now interested in signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, who had been a key target for Arsenal.
Viktor Gyokeres’ arrival at the Emirates Stadium has seen their interest in Sesko cool and potentially open the door for United to swoop despite rival interest from Newcastle United.
The Slovenia international reportedly has a release clause in his contract, but it would take an offer of more than £70million to trigger it this summer.
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