Kieran Maguire: Man United ‘chickens are coming home to roost’ as £2bn wiped off takeover price
Investors looking to buy Man United will likely take the £2billion it could cost to redevelop Old Trafford off the price they are willing to pay the Glazer family
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the plans to expand the Red Devils’ 75,000-seater home.
The Glazers announced their intentions to boost capacity and revamp Old Trafford several months before they revealed that they were also willing to sell the club.
As relayed by the Daily Mail earlier this month (12 January), United have now been presented with two plans by architects, one for redevelopment and for a total rebuild.
Either scenario will cost the club upwards of £1billion, potentially rising to £2billion.
“Any prospective bidder will effectively reduce a considerable element of the redevelopment costs from what they are willing to spend,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“If you are buying a house that has a hole in the roof, you are likely to be prepared to pay less for it. And there are literally holes in the roof at United.
“The Glazers have been reluctant to spend money on infrastructure because the terms of Project Big Picture and the Super League included central pots for these expenses.
“Now, their chickens are coming home to roost in terms of the facilities available to regular United fans.
“They have, however, spent on tickling the feathers of those who use hospitality.”
In other news, pundit tells Man United to pull Denzel Dumfries U-turn after £35m talks update.