‘Man United owners could sell up’ in stunning new stadium twist
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering funding options to complete the club’s new stadium project.
The Premier League side have announced plans to build a 100,000-seater stadium as part of the government’s regeneration of the Old Trafford area.
Ratcliffe has insisted he wants the new stadium, which will cost around £2billion, to be the “world’s greatest” and potentially be completed within five years.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – revealed Man United could sell minority stakes at Old Trafford to raise money for the new stadium build.
Football Insider revealed on 13 February Ratcliffe could demand more United shares to help fund the project.
The INEOS chief owns a 28.9 per cent stake in the club, while the Glazers have recently seen their shareholding diluted to 48.9 per cent.
Man United could suffer new stadium blow
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness suggested United could have to scale back their plans for the new stadium.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “In terms of funding for the stadium, there aren’t many ways around that just now.
“I have already expressed concerns about how this could be done. We may see a scaled-back situation for the stadium.
“We may see some other ways of selling some minority stakes into United to raise some money. I think it’s going to be pretty tight overall.
“But if you really believe that Ratcliffe has got the best interest of United at stake, he’s got to make sure that there is the right amount of money for a manager to back him and to get the squad sorted out. That’s his priority.
“Obviously, the new revenue is going to be important coming in for the new stadium.
“But you’ve got to be sure that the new revenue isn’t all eaten up in interest payments and the way that the stadium is financed, so put the football club first, keep that in the top of your mind and they might be okay.”
Man United race Newcastle to sign Hugo Ekitike
Football Insider revealed on 27 March United are racing Newcastle to sign Hugo Ekitike in the summer transfer window.
Ruben Amorim’s side have been keeping a close eye on the 22-year-old’s performances for Eintracht Frankfurt as they look to strengthen their attacking options.
| Appearances | 38 |
| Goals | 19 |
| Assists | 8 |
The forward has registered 19 goals and eight assists in 38 appearances for the Bundesliga side this season after joining for £13.2million from PSG last summer.
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