Stefan Borson: Man United investor could fund new stadium project after takeover latest
Manchester United are currently facing obstacles in their plans to build a new stadium.
Man United announced plans to build a 100,000-seater stadium in March this year as part of the government’s regeneration of the Old Trafford area.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has insisted he wants the new stadium, which the club believe will cost around £2billion, to be the “world’s greatest” and potentially be completed within five years.
Meanwhile, reports have suggested UAE-based investors are looking to agree a Man United takeover deal.
Man United to agree new stadium deal
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider an interested party could be open to funding Man United’s stadium development if the takeover reports are true.
Man United have been locked in talks with Freightliner, the haulage company that owns the land required to build the canopy around the new stadium.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “You’d always assume that they’ll get there with Freightliner.
“I mean, the bigger question is just the funding of the entire project. This is only the first step. That’s why they’re clearly serious about it. They presumably believe that there’s no alternative to doing this deal.
“I don’t know whether it’s another indicator that either there is no other party in the background that’s also interested or whether it confirms that there is and that the party is quite happy to fund the stadium, and maybe that’s part of what’s going on. I don’t know.”
Freightliner is seeking around £400million, but Old Trafford chiefs only value the land at between £40-50m.
Man United facing ‘big’ stadium funding issue
Man United have drawn up new plans that don’t include the canopy due to the issues around purchasing the land.
However, The Daily Mail reported on 15 October the Manchester giants are optimistic they will agree a deal with Freightliner following “constructive” discussions.
“I would expect that from the Freightliner perspective, I think that’s just an early stage of the issue,” said Borson.
“The bigger situation is where do they find let’s say £2bn-plus to fund the stadium project. That is still the big outstanding question.”
Man United released their latest accounts for 2024-25 last month, revealing their turnover increased from £661.8m to £666.5m.
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