Stefan Borson slaughters Rachel Reeves after ‘pathetic’ Man United update
Rachel Reeves provided a “pathetic” response when asked to clarify how the government will be contributing to Manchester United’s stadium redevelopment project.
That is the view of former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider there is no possibility any public money will go towards paying for part of the stadium.
A statement from the Treasury on 25 January said Chancellor 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 Premier League side will be responsible financially for the stadium portion of the project, while government support will unlock wider regeneration.
Speaking on 29 January, Reeves said she is backing Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham’s plans for the Old Trafford redevelopment, but she didn’t explain precisely how the government will support the project.
Man United stadium plans to ‘upset’ people in the north
Borson insisted the plans are likely to “upset” people in the north of England as it’s solely a gift for that part of Manchester.
He told Football Insider: “I think the significance is probably around how it’s positioned by the new government as part of one or two major projects that they are going to really back.
“One of them is Heathrow, and then it seems to be this redevelopment of Manchester. It was interesting when Rachel Reeves was asked the question directly that she had no answer for what contribution the government would be making to the project.
“She just didn’t know, and her answer was pathetic. She just said ‘That’s Andy Burnam’s project as Mayor of Manchester’. I don’t really understand that.
“I suspect the reality is that, from an optics perspective and a public-facing perspective, there is no possibility that they can pay for any part of the stadium. They can pay for the infrastructure around it and I think that will be good for that part of Manchester.
“It will be good that the communications are improved, that 15,000 homes are built, that the facilities around that area can be suitable for 15,000 new homes. All of that is positive.
“But the idea that it’s some kind of gift to the north of England is going to upset lots of people in the north because it’s just not going to be seen in that way. It’s a gift to that part of Manchester, to the extent that it’s subsidised by the government.
“It’s not the Wembley of the north because, frankly, nobody outside of Manchester will care that there is a new stadium in Manchester.
“Newcastle and Liverpool fans and people are not going to be delighted that investment has gone into that part of Manchester.
“It doesn’t really help them.”
In other news, Man United fans are unanimous over ‘catastrophic’ Lisandro Martinez update.
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