Manchester United has received a major boost with the UK government backing its ambitious regeneration plans for Old Trafford.
The proposed project could see the club either redevelop its iconic stadium, increasing its capacity to 87,000, or construct a brand-new venue capable of holding up to 100,000 fans.
Manchester United is expected to decide by the summer whether to proceed with redeveloping Old Trafford or building a new stadium.
A November survey indicated that most United fans favour constructing a new venue over upgrading the existing one.
United’s CEO Omar Berrada called the initiative a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and highlighted its potential to transform the area surrounding the stadium.
“The delivery of a world-class stadium can be the catalyst for major regeneration of an area of Greater Manchester which requires new investment to thrive again,” Berrada said in a statement on the club’s website.
“We cannot achieve that wider aim on our own, which is why we welcome the announcement by the Chancellor and the ongoing support of the mayor of Greater Manchester [Andy Burnham] and Trafford Council.
“If we work together, there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a landmark project around Old Trafford that the whole region can be proud of.”
While Manchester United would lead the stadium development, the project requires collaboration with public authorities to unlock broader regeneration opportunities. This includes enhanced transport infrastructure and new housing in the area.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, underscored the project’s importance for the region.
“With our devolved powers, we’re mobilising the whole Greater Manchester system to lock in growth for the next decade and reap the rewards for our city-region and UK plc,” he said.
“The project around Old Trafford represents the biggest opportunity for urban regeneration this country has seen since London 2012 and is a key part of our ten-year plan to turbocharge growth across Greater Manchester.
“We look forward to working with the government on moving freight away from the site around Old Trafford to new locations to open up capacity on our rail network and unlock massive regeneration potential – delivering benefits across the whole of the North.”
The Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, which includes prominent figures such as Burnham, former United defender Gary Neville, and World Athletics president Lord Coe, recently released an options report.
The findings reveal the project could contribute an additional AU$14.6 billion in gross value added to the UK economy and create over 90,000 job opportunities.
Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority will also discuss the establishment of a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to support the regeneration project.
An MDC would have the authority to acquire and develop land, as well as deliver infrastructure, enabling large-scale urban transformations like the one planned for Old Trafford.
