Man United stadium update: ‘No new Old Trafford until after 2032’
Man United may have to wait till after 2032 at the earliest to move in to a new stadium, according to Martin Lipton.
Rachel Reeves, chancellor of the exchequer, publicly backed United’s plans to build a new 100,000 capacity stadium [The Mirror].
United are expected to make a decision by the end of the season as to whether they want to redevelop Old Trafford, or build an entirely new stadium.
Part-owner Jim Ratcliffe made building a new stadium central to his plans to revitalise the sleeping giant, and building a new ground could potentially cost £2billion, having completed his promised funding to the club by investing £80million in January.
Lipton, chief sports reporter at The Sun, is sceptical about the timeframe of building a new stadium. He spoke on talkSPORT about how long United may have to wait to move in to a new home (6.38): “Well, Spurs on a small project took four years.
“Everton have been going on a much smaller project for…four years? Chelsea were looking to rebuild Stamford Bridge, again, a smaller project, knocking down first [the current stadium], five to six years.
“They already have the car park space to build on but it takes ages to put down foundations, and if it is a complex, not just a stadium, and all the infrastructure around it? Six, seven years. Minimum.
“We know that infrastructure projects in this country NEVER run to projected costs and normally take twice as long as expected.”
Man United risk another long trophy less period similar to Arsene Wenger at Arsenal
Football Insider Verdict
The move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium was a hugely positive one for Arsenal, but it is easy to forget the consequences that it had for the North London club.
Having moved in the Emirates in 2006, Arsenal would have to wait until 2014 until they won a major trophy, securing the FA Cup eight years after the move.
During that time, Arsene Wenger saw his side go from invincible title-winners, to perennially rounding out the top-four, and watching rivals Man United and Chelsea go from strength-to-strength.
Wenger worked miracles on an incredibly tight budget, enforced by the restrictions of financing the new stadium.
The concern for Man United fans now, is that they are already struggling whilst having cash to splash, how will the club cope when the purse-strings tighten?
The inability to spend recklessly may end up being a positive, as United reign in the exorbitant contracts they have handed out, but a new stadium also could spell an end to any chances the Red Devils have of competing at the highest level for some time to come.
There is also the added concern of what a new stadium may mean for ticket prices, after Ratcliffe hiked up the cost of United tickets to £66, with no concessions for children or pensioners.
In other news, United fans have urged the club to end their “obsession” with Patrick Dorgu and sign a former Red Devil instead.
For more Man United news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.