Sources: Ratcliffe plots stunning new Man United deal
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS team have outlined a stunning eight-year plan to address stadium issues at Man United, sources have told Football Insider.
The British billionaire completed his £1.3billion investment deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils on Christmas Eve.
Ratcliffe and his team have been granted full sporting control at Old Trafford by the Glazer family, and they have already started making changes behind the scenes.
As revealed by Football Insider, Ratcliffe has put aside £250million to be invested into infrastructure.
Senior figures behind the takeover believe the expansion or redevelopment of the stadium will take up to eight years.
That process includes the assessment of Old Trafford as well as choosing whether to expand the current stadium or build an entirely new venue.
It is understood that INEOS plan to expand the capacity of Old Trafford to 90,000 – but the construction of a new stadium has not been ruled out if it is deemed to be the more cost-effective option.
Building a new stadium would allow United to continue playing at Old Trafford during the construction process whereas expansion could see the team re-based for up to two years.
It is estimated that a new stadium would cost close to £2billion.
United posted record-breaking matchday revenue of £136.4million in the 2022/23 season – a figure that Ratcliffe plans to grow following the takeover.
INEOS director Dave Brailsford – who was present at Old Trafford for United’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday – is leading the review of the club.
In other news, Kieran Maguire slams ‘disappointing’ Ratcliffe decision as Man United exodus begins