So far the stadium updates have just been a few tweets every couple of months...nothing real to actually form an opinion just yet.
New Stadium or Revamp Old Trafford
- Thread starter Ian Reus
- Start date
Yeah, if we did achieve something akin to that then that's definitely the main argument for moving away from the existing Old Trafford and all the history and tradition that goes with it.
I can certainly see the arguments that we're probably likely to build a more impressively modern stadium if we started from scratch rather than tried to work with the existing stadium. But then I guess it's for each to decide if the potential financial / on field positives are worth losing a big part of the history, tradition, 'soul' of the club, etc, in knocking down Old Trafford?
It does feel like it's very much head v heart stuff. Head says a brand new stadium would probably bring more revenue and, hopefully, on field success because of that (if better decisions are made!); Heart says I'd still rather redevelop Old Trafford and, if those better off field decisions do start to be made, we should still have enough about us to be competitive (as we should have had this past decade!) and the success will feel better if we've not knocked down Old Trafford to achieve it.
I can see both arguments and, as with most things, I'm somewhere in the middle and not solely in favour of only one. Though, in an ideal world, I'd choose the staying at Old Trafford if we could do a good enough redevelopment. Which seems a big if.
is that there game of thrones reference
I'm guessing most of them? Governments don't fund stadium refurbs do they?
I don't mean literally with their own cash, they use loans etc.
But taxpayers funding Old Trafford? That shouldn't be a thing.
Burn it to the ground. The world we need won't be built by men loyal to the world we have.
100% a new stadium.
We're becoming like Liverpool, stuck in the past. Constantly talking about the "Glory Years". Endless clips and stories of what we were once cable of. Meanwhile clubs like City are winning trebles.
If we are ever going to get back to those heights we need to be the best in all areas again, including the stadium.
The memories created at OT shouldn't be the chains that keep us there forever. It was great watching them happen and most of us over a certain age will never forget them but its time to move on now.
Time to create new memories.
We're becoming like Liverpool, stuck in the past. Constantly talking about the "Glory Years". Endless clips and stories of what we were once cable of. Meanwhile clubs like City are winning trebles.
If we are ever going to get back to those heights we need to be the best in all areas again, including the stadium.
The memories created at OT shouldn't be the chains that keep us there forever. It was great watching them happen and most of us over a certain age will never forget them but its time to move on now.
Time to create new memories.
The deal isn't actually done yet.
absolutely need a new stadium....a fresh start so to speak so we stop worrying/comparing everything to the fergie era
It needs to be new, there's only so much an expensive facade can fix. The structural design of the stadium is outdated as well.
We're not really moving away though. It's just moving over a few meters. It's still basically the same site. The same spiritual home. To rebuild the current stadium would probably mean moving it over a bit away from the railway line anyway with new stands and a new pitch. That's not too much different to doing the building work a bit further back on the Old Trafford site.
You mean the Sir Jim deal?
I wasn't limiting myself to just commenting on SJR as the stadium chat has been going on a lot longer.
So what's the government equivalent of a council house 'cos that's what it would be.
Ain't gonna happen with a Labour government so if you want this you're gonna have to vote for the Tory cnuts!
Ain't gonna happen with a Labour government so if you want this you're gonna have to vote for the Tory cnuts!
I hope everybody doesn't freak out when they finance this construction....
What will the Green party do for us?
Plant carrots and other veggies around the stadium to make us more sustainable!
Forcing City to share their ground. Council House and all that.
At least City fans would know what a full ground looks like
I am guessing here that newer fans, and those who have never been to Old Trafford, are supporting the new build? Well sod that. Old Trafford is where we grew up. It is our home and should remain so.
At least City fans would know what a full ground looks like
Would be hilarious. Across the road from our old Bank St.
When you think that 115 got their stadium for £1 after the commonwealth games (that everyone living in Gr. Manchester contributed to through Council tax) its only right that gov financial assistance is given for the new Utd stadium!
I feel the same.
Someone else had the idea of building a brand new stadium but keeping the old stadium for ladies and youth football.
It would obviously have to downsize though.
That way you've the best of both worlds.
It feels like this news, alongside what Burnham said the other day, could mean the process moves pretty swiftly once put in motion.
Just needs a fresh coat of paint. She's fine.
There was an article in the Times that detailed what the Populous Group was saying about Old Trafford. They have built some really famous stadiums, including the Spurs ground. They were in charge of reviewing OT’s next move. They said that the whole structure itself is nearing its sell by date. Old Trafford is a very old stadium built on foundations that were once bombed by the Nazis! Of course it was rebuilt but even then it’s a very old structure with even the cabling reaching a point of full revamp.
They said that it would cost more to revamp the stadium than build a new one.
To my mind, Manchester United have a VERY unique situation. We own so much of the land around Old Trafford that we could build a new stadium right next to it and as we construct it, we could continue playing at Old Trafford! That happens very rarely in the world of construction/real estate let alone football.
We need a state of the art facility that will make us the envy of the world again and allow us to generate money when the season is off. Aside from having a larger capacity that generates even more match day income, of course. Old Trafford used to do that, but with great arenas nearby and with City having a more modern stadium that is more friendly to concerts and gigs, OT has become redundant. To the point where we are not even a venue for the Euro’s!
I’ve been to Old Trafford more than a few times, and I worship the place like a temple. But unless we catch up fast, we will be left behind quickly. I wouldn’t mind rebuilding on current ground either, but where would be play in the mean time? There are no stadiums big enough to host us anywhere close by.
A new stadium, according to the article would cost around a a billion pounds. A revamp, they say, would cost 2! Do we want to saddle ourselves with that kind of debt? Especially with the Glazers still not fully gone.
Tough decision ahead. One that needs clear communication with the fans before made, so that there are no protests or anything of the sort. OT is emotional for us. It’s hallowed ground. But we must be realistic.
They said that it would cost more to revamp the stadium than build a new one.
To my mind, Manchester United have a VERY unique situation. We own so much of the land around Old Trafford that we could build a new stadium right next to it and as we construct it, we could continue playing at Old Trafford! That happens very rarely in the world of construction/real estate let alone football.
We need a state of the art facility that will make us the envy of the world again and allow us to generate money when the season is off. Aside from having a larger capacity that generates even more match day income, of course. Old Trafford used to do that, but with great arenas nearby and with City having a more modern stadium that is more friendly to concerts and gigs, OT has become redundant. To the point where we are not even a venue for the Euro’s!
I’ve been to Old Trafford more than a few times, and I worship the place like a temple. But unless we catch up fast, we will be left behind quickly. I wouldn’t mind rebuilding on current ground either, but where would be play in the mean time? There are no stadiums big enough to host us anywhere close by.
A new stadium, according to the article would cost around a a billion pounds. A revamp, they say, would cost 2! Do we want to saddle ourselves with that kind of debt? Especially with the Glazers still not fully gone.
Tough decision ahead. One that needs clear communication with the fans before made, so that there are no protests or anything of the sort. OT is emotional for us. It’s hallowed ground. But we must be realistic.
Last edited:
You make sensible points. The first is that building a new stadium will actually be cheaper. The second is that a New Old Trafford would be an attractive venue for other sports and concerts, creating an additional income for the club.
Hopefully Ratcliffe’s plans of building the Wembley of the north come to fruition. It’s a shame that we will not be a stadium for the Euros.
Of course what you write reads as outrageous and would be if it was remotely true, which it isn't.
City do not own their stadium, therefore they couldn't have paid £1 for it, they rent it from the council and pay millions for the privilege
Sir Jim absolutely needs to build a new ground. Every single stand of the current Old Trafford has been rebuilt hasn't it? Its not the same stadium as it was in the early 90s. Start over and build something cutting edge that will last us for the next few decades.
Makes more sense to build a new stadium. I know SAF always said he wanted 100k, we should still be able to sell that out weekly. Either that or at least make sure it’s 90’653 so it’s bigger than Wembley. Which I think would make it the 2nd biggest stadium in Europe. Can’t recall what the Camp bankrupt is but think it’s still the biggest.
Horrible thought but surely they’ll sell some sort of naming rights to any new stadium. CornHub presents The Theatre of Dreams
Horrible thought but surely they’ll sell some sort of naming rights to any new stadium. CornHub presents The Theatre of Dreams
Last edited:
SJR is a smart man. He knows he can essentially pay the same for an old stadium and a new stadium in total. Why?
The levelling up programme, taken from UK gov website: The UK Government is investing £13 billion in Levelling Up projects for local people and local businesses across the country to help grow the economy,
The UK won’t help with merely upgrading the stadium, but it would help if there is a new stadium and entertainment hub and transport links etc. So they will help subsidise the construction. Just makes total sense to build a new stadium financially.
The levelling up programme, taken from UK gov website: The UK Government is investing £13 billion in Levelling Up projects for local people and local businesses across the country to help grow the economy,
The UK won’t help with merely upgrading the stadium, but it would help if there is a new stadium and entertainment hub and transport links etc. So they will help subsidise the construction. Just makes total sense to build a new stadium financially.
Imagine the potential of a Salford Quays/Trafford Wharf running all the way to OT.
State of the art new stadium ….the best in Europe!
I'd agree with this.
On the wider point of ground development, I really we hope we avoid becoming the "Wembley of the North". It's the worst of the identikit soulless bowls that have become commonplace over the last 30 years.
Always argued for a new stadium, we need it. Yeah it's been built and rebuilt over the years but he's still dated. You can't sort out the piping l, the electrics even the narrow ass seating by slapping some paint and a expanded south stand.
It also gives a chance to do something with the land. You look at his much extra funds some teams raise from the extras around the stadium.
It also gives a chance to do something with the land. You look at his much extra funds some teams raise from the extras around the stadium.
New stadium is the way to go. As big and acoustically sound as possible while maximising the land around OT. A roof would be nice. Something that’s easier to upgrade and maintain, it would be a huge money spinner over the long term and the greatest gift to the fans SJR could ever provide
Don't like Wembley but its almost what? 30 years old? Anyway I suspect it's not a literal thing. More like OT will be the cock of the North. Although I suspect we'll have the best stadium in the world. (And yeah Southerners can do one! Cock of the school and all that...)
I don't think he's referring to the atmosphere or design that of Wembley.
It's the symbolism of it.
New Wembley is not even 20 years old yet...
I'm still concerned that the people in charge will go down the route of designing a stadium that might be aesthetically pleasing but won't be built with matchgoing fans in mind.
Also, given that any "new" stadium is expected to cost around a billion pounds, it will be again matchgoing fans that pay the price.
What's the point in a new stadium if it simply becomes a magnet for sponsors and execs and nobody local can afford to go (even more so than now...)
Its funny that a stadium that was built a year later than it was supposed to and came in miles over budget is an appropriate symbol. Or maybe, given the last 19 years since the Glazers came in, it's the perfect comparison.
Will we have a cheese room?
I’m on board for the new stadium now, especially if the plans are to stay on the same site roughly. I think you can do something classy and unique with the design of it that doesn‘t make it look soulless and sterile.