Why Building a New Stadium is the Right Move for Man United
Manchester United confirmed the plans to develop a new 100,000-capacity stadium on the same site as the current Old Trafford in the coming years. Here's why it's the correct decision from the Red Devils and why some aren't happy about the news.
Video Transcript
So it seems like change is on the way at Manchester United, that a new Old Trafford, or a Trafford , I'm not sure what to call it.
It's a bit strange call- to call something new old, but that's what it would be.
Basically, it's been in the news recently that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is preferring to build a new stadium for Manchester United, rather than renovate the current Old Trafford site.
Now, this new stadium would apparently have 100,000 seats, which would make it bigger than Wembley, in terms of capacity.
It would cost over 2 billion and take around six years to complete.
Manchester United and the board will decide on this, this, this, this kind of topic really, in December, or if not before, actually.
It says by December here.
Now this is an interesting one for me, because I understand why.
Something has to be done at the end of the day.
Old Trafford was once the envy of clubs around the world, 'cause it was not only huge in terms of the capacity, but it was state-of-the-art.
You know, it used to host Champions League finals.
It used to be, you know, while Wembley Before Wembley came, basically, this was, you know, it was the biggest and best modern stadium at the time.
But since then, it's well and truly fallen behind.
You look at it compared to the Etihad, with Manchester City.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Man United fans, but it's true, and if you know in your hearts, you'll admit that as well.
It's miles behind what the Etihad is.
It's miles behind Emirates for Arsenal.
It's light-years behind the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Tottenham.
Even Anfield, even Anfield, you could argue, with its recent upgrades, is a better stadium because Old Trafford has not changed effectively in twen- over 20 years now, and it's well and truly fallen behind.
Now, apparently, apparently, if they were to renovate the current Old Trafford, it would cost about 1 billion, and, and that would just to be, to get it up to scratch.
It would not to be, you know, become the new shining beacon of English football, you know?
And that's what it wants to be.
And Ratcliffe hasn't shied away from saying that he wants to make this the Wembley of the North.
He wants this to be, you know, on a par, if not better, with Wembley.
You know, better than Wembley, sorry.
And it's absolutely fair enough.
It's totally understandable why he wants to do this.
And you know, there could a- there could also, also be the opportunity to host other sporting events here as well.
You know, you look at Tottenham with their NFL games and their massive concerts and stuff.
Nothing Unless I'm very much mistaken, nobody really uses Old Trafford apart from Manchester United.
You know, you don't I, I've not really seen many concerts being hosted there or anything like that.
Normally, it goes to the Etihad or Anfield in the northwest of England.
So I think it's probably the best move, to be honest.
My I, I don't, I don't think I mean, they could renovate Old Trafford, of course, but the problem then becomes what happens while they're renovating it.
And also on top of that, what would happen to Man United while this new stadium is being built?
Would they move somewhere else?
You know, potentially.
Would they?
Who knows, really.
But this is also with an eye towards, yeah, you know, we've got the Euros coming up eventually as well, haven't we?
So although what year that is, I think Is it 2028?
England and the UK is hosting.
It probably won't be ready for that.
But you know, if you are looking longer term, that's what the club needs to do, and I thi- I think it's totally fair enough.
I think it's probably the right move for them.
But Man United fans, you let me know your opinions in the comments below on this one.
I'm sure it's to be a controversial issue.
Old Trafford is somewhere where, you know, it's the Theater of Dreams.
It, but, right now, it's unfortunately become a, a symbol of Manchester United's decline in general over the last 10 years or so.
I mean, I, I went there in about 2015, I think it was.
Wasn't really that impressed.
I mean, it was big, but it wasn't like state-of-the-art, because it's not.
And that was nearly 10 years ago now.
So let me know your, let me know your thoughts in the comments below, as always.
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