Old Trafford would take 12 months to knock down once Manchester United are ready to move into their proposed new £2 billion stadium, it has emerged.
United are hoping to be in a position to move into a new 100,000-capacity stadium that Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to be Manchester’s answer to the Eiffel Tower on a reimagined 260-acre site in time for the start of the 2030/31 season.
Ruben Amorim’s squad would continue to play at a full 74,000-capacity Old Trafford during the time it takes to develop the new ground, much of which would be constructed off site through so-called “pre-fabrication” to accelerate the planned five-year build time.
Once the new stadium is fully operational, United would then begin the process of deconstructing Old Trafford, which architects at Foster + Partners have indicated would take around one year to complete.
United had originally considered keeping Old Trafford, their home for the past 115 years, in a scaled-down form, potentially as a 30,000-capacity stadium to house the women’s team and academy.
But the club explored the economic feasibility of running two stadiums and the cost and work involved in potentially downsizing such an old building and ultimately established it did not make financial sense.
Omar Berrada, the United chief executive, confirmed on Tuesday it was “unlikely” Old Trafford would be remain and all the current plans appear to involve its eventual demolition.
United had explored the possibility of redeveloping Old Trafford with an increased 87,000 capacity in what would have been an estimated £1.2 billion project, albeit with the risks of considerable hidden costs and a much longer build time.
There was also the issue of having to play at a reduced-capacity Old Trafford while construction work was underway.
That would have severely hit revenue streams given United do not have the luxury of being able to move into a temporary ground big enough to house all their supporters like Tottenham had with playing at Wembley while construction of their new stadium took place.
United are eager to be in a position to start work on the new stadium later this year but, as well as the most pressing issue of the club lining up the financing, there also needs to be alignment with all stakeholders involved in the wider regeneration project.
Collette Roche, United’s chief operating officer, was in Cannes on Wednesday along with Lord Coe, the chairman of the Old Trafford regeneration taskforce, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, for the MIPIM, an international real estate and trade show.
United – who believe the new stadium could increase the club’s EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) by around £130 million annually – are expected to be showing off their stadium plans at the event as they bid to drum up investment opportunities in the project.
With the design still in the conceptual phase, there is expected to be more engagement and consultation with supporters. One thing considered important will be the location of statues such as the Holy Trinity of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law, which could be situated on some part of the “processional” walkway that is expected to connect the new stadium and a rebuilt Old Trafford rail terminal. Key positions for other integral parts of United’s heritage and history, such as the Munich clock, will also have to be found and agreed upon.
The idea for the new stadium’s three masts, inspired by the Red Devils’ trident on the club’s crest, was formed at a meeting on Dec 17 in the Battersea offices of Foster + Partners attended by Ratcliffe and the architectural firm’s founder Lord Norman Foster.
Rather than create a stadium that resembled some kind of steel “fortress”, there was an emphasis on trying to create something more open with a covered space which ultimately led to the idea of a 104 square-metre canopy – or “umbrella” – and sunken pitch 15.9 metres below ground level. And then eventually the three vertical masts, the tallest of which is 200 metres and which could be seen from almost 25 miles away. The SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park development in Los Angeles have been a significant source of inspiration.
“We had a meeting in this room, back on December 17, with lots of ideas, lots of options and we had a great session with Norman Foster and also with Jim (Ratcliffe),” Nigel Dancey, senior executive partner at Fosters said.
“I think there was a feeling that this really was the most iconic and the most different stadium we could do. It was something that would set ourselves apart and offer something for Manchester, which was appropriate for the climate but also be a place where people would say: ‘I want to go there, that would be a great place’.”
Meanwhile, United’s revamped £50 million Carrington training ground is due to open and be fully operational from July 31. The site is currently undergoing a significant transformation and, while it is not certain to be fully finished in time for the start of pre-season in early July, works are expected to have been completed by the end of that month. Amorim and his squad will be in a position to use the facility once they return from the club’s pre-season tour of the US in early August.
