Man United shock: ‘There will be hell to pay’ amid new stadium fear
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted there is “absolutely no way” Man United should get government money for their Old Trafford rebuild.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 67-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – revealed he will be “watching like a hawk” to ensure any funding is limited to regeneration and infrastructure projects around the new stadium.
A statement from the Treasury last week (25 January) said Chancellor Rachel Reeves was backing the Old Trafford renovation project as “a shining example” of government plans to promote economic growth.
Plans are in place for the regeneration of the Old Trafford area, with the development of a world-class stadium for Man United at the heart of the project.
The Red Devils will be responsible financially for the stadium portion of the project, while government support will unlock wider regeneration.
‘Absolutely no way’ taxpayer should foot Man United stadium bill, says Wyness
Wyness insisted Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers will have “hell to pay” if any public money is used on the stadium.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The devil is in the detail and the words being used.
“The government are backing the regeneration around the stadium. I will be watching this like a hawk.
“Having been involved in stadium projects, there was never any government help or local council help – only in terms of building the infrastructure.
“Now, if they’re talking about building warehouses, housing, commercial areas – fair enough.
“But if one penny goes into the development of the stadium, for a private group like Ratcliffe and the Glazers, there will be hell to pay.
“I, for one, will be watching closely to ensure nothing like that happens.
“There is absolutely no way Man United should be getting even one penny of government money towards the new stadium.
“I know there will be many others watching.”
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