Sir Jim Ratcliffe attempts to find solution to solve Man Utd's £2bn problem
Manchester United are considering two potential solutions to a land battle that is threatening to delay their plans to build a new £2billion stadium. United unveiled their plans for a new ground back in March, with the club planning to demolish Old Trafford and build a brand new 100,000 capacity stadium.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes the project, which he has dubbed the 'Wembley of the North', will be completed by 2030 but they are struggling to buy a critical site beside the ground that is currently owned by freight company Freightliner.
According to the Daily Mail, United believe the land is worth around £40million and they believe Freightliner are 'attempting to cash in with a significantly higher valuation'. As a result, United are looking into potential solutions to break the impasse.
It is claimed a compulsory purchase order could be used to acquire the land, with United planning to regenerate the area surrounding the new stadium as well. The report also states that United could buy a portion of land so they can build the stadium and then acquire the rest.
It is estimated the new stadium project will create up to 92,000 new jobs and more than 17,000 new homes, while it is hoped an additional 1.8 million visitors can be attracted.
"Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world's greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford," Ratcliffe said of the project.
"Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home.
"Just as important is the opportunity for a new stadium to be the catalyst for social and economic renewal of the Old Trafford area, creating jobs and investment not just during the construction phase but on a lasting basis when the stadium district is complete.
"The Government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priority, particularly in the north of England, and we are proud to be supporting that mission with this project of national, as well as local, significance."
Former Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson added: " Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in. Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Why Manchester United's new stadium plans are delayed
Manchester United 's ambitious plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium to replace Old Trafford have hit a major obstacle. The club is at an impasse with local landowner Freightliner, which is demanding £400m for land United values at £40-50m. Spearheaded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the project includes extensive housing, leisure, and retail spaces, designed by Sir Norman Foster's firm. United aims to complete the stadium within five to six years, with sights set on hosting the Women's World Cup final in 2035. A taskforce estimates the regeneration could bring an extra £7.3bn to the British economy and create 92,000 jobs, with government backing for the project.
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Newcastle launch improved bid for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko
Newcastle have raised their bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. Manchester United had still to submit a formal offer for the Slovenia international as of Monday afternoon. Newcastle's first bid was worth an initial €75m (£65.5m) with a further €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons but the Tyneside club are now guaranteeing the Bundesliga club at least €80m. United opted to prioritise a move for Sesko over Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins but the 22-year-old's price tag is creeping up now Newcastle have increased their initial offer. Newcastle co-owner Jamie Reuben is said to have held positive talks with Leipzig on Monday. Sesko is thought to be waiting to see what United do before making a final decision on his future. However, Leipzig are reported to be unwilling to sell Sesko below their stated expectations on a fee. On Sunday, Omar Berrada, the United chief executive, said the club's director of football Jason Wilcox and his recruitment team were working 'around the clock' to make further additions to the squad. United wanted to sign Liam Delap at the start of the season but the striker turned them down in order to join Chelsea from Ipswich for £30m. 'We have a team back home led by Jason – the recruitment team – that is working around the clock to ensure that we continue to find opportunities to strengthen our squad. There are lots of late calls and early morning meetings to make sure that we stay on top of it.' Newcastle's move for Sesko comes amid continuing uncertainty over the future of Alexander Isak. The Sweden striker has signalled his desire to leave St James' Park. Liverpool had a £110m bid for Isak rejected last Friday.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Why Man Utd should SCRAP Benjamin Sesko transfer for different position Ruben Amorim desperately needs
MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs are 'working around the clock' to give Ruben Amorim the tools he needs to fix the club. But as Amorim and Co landed back home on Monday after their promising US tour ended with a reality check in the Big Peach, one pressing thought dominated. Advertisement 7 Manchester United are hot on the heels of RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko Credit: GETTY 7 The Red Devils are going toe-to-toe with Prem rivals Newcastle for the 22-year-old Credit: GETTY 7 Ruben Amorim needs to strengthen other areas of his squad before signing a new striker Credit: Getty Should United chief executive Omar Berrada be prioritising a new No.9 and looking to spend £70million-plus on Benjamin Sesko? Newcastle hit Leipzig's asking price for the Slovenian frontman on Monday night and are keep to wrap up a deal as soon as possible. United now must decide whether to make their move. But the question remains, is it a proper holding midfielder that they REALLY need? Advertisement READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS SES PLEASE Benjamin Sesko 'tells both Man Utd and Newcastle he only wants them' Manuel Ugarte looked no better equipped than he did when flailing through last season, as Everton clearly targeted him in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The £42.3m Uruguayan midfielder, 24, got criminally caught in possession for Iliman Ndiaye's goal in Sunday night's 2-2 friendly draw, was treading through treacle at times and looked all at sea for most of his 72 minutes on the pitch. And when replaced by Casemiro, who remains slower than a pedalo in choppy waters — while Kobbie Mainoo has gone backwards — it exposed glaring vulnerabilities in the centre of midfield. The attacking trident boss Amorim used for the first 45 minutes, with debutant Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes floating in and around each other, was vibrant and exciting. Advertisement SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN 7 7 Central midfield remains a problem area for Manchester United, despite the relatively recent arrival of Manuel Ugarte Credit: Getty Amad Diallo, despite playing a part in Ayden Heaven's own goal that gifted the Toffees a second leveller, offered thrust and dynamism at wing-back. Yet he gave centre-back Leny Yoro scant protection. Advertisement While, Mason Mount came off the bench to curl home a delightful effort and show he can contribute. Sesko wants Man Utd move as Villa block Watkins exit | Transfers Exposed There are clearly goals in this United squad, even with seemingly-unwanted Rasmus Hojlund on the bench and Joshua Zirkzee still not fit. Mbeumo, building up fitness after a £65m move from Brentford, has pace, penetration and perception. Cunha looks a scorer of great goals, if perhaps not a great goalscorer, while skipper Bruno is at his best when looking to hurt opponents with the ball. Advertisement Replacing Hojlund with another similar style player, rather than a proven Prem striker like Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, seems a waste of resources given their midfield shortcomings. For starters, Mateta is available at half the price of RB Leipzig man Sesko. Finding a Rodri equivalent is, of course, tough. Just ask Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Ugarte got criminally caught in possession for Iliman Ndiaye's goal in Sunday night's 2-2 friendly draw, was treading through treacle at times and looked all at sea for most of his 72 minutes on the pitch. But what Amorim would give for a Michael Carrick or Owen Hargreaves. Advertisement Even so, Amorim was right to highlight positives from their training camp in Chicago and games against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton. Yet Fernandes was critical of the 'lazy' performance against the Toffees, adding: 'We need to change that. 'The situation is improving, but the culture here was winning — and we need to bring that back. 'A lot of people have suffered from this, a lot of people who had been working at the club for many years had to go. Advertisement 'Fans are paying more for tickets, so it's up to us to pay it back on the pitch.' Amorim, asked to respond, was emphatic. He said: 'I'm happy for the players to have that feeling. 7 CEO Omar Berrada should prioritise resolving the biggest issue in United's squad ahead of signing a new strike Credit: GETTY "They understand the situation. Advertisement 'We need to be really consistent. But we are better. It's the perfect feeling to go back to Carrington. 'The momentum of the tour was perfect. We had the weeks to work with a good environment, good feeling. "Then we go back to Carrington and are near to starting the season, going with the feeling that we need to do a lot of things.' Including in further recruitment — as captain Fernandes stated in his own message to the board. Advertisement The Portuguese midfielder said: 'I don't want to have a dig at anyone. 7 Skipper Bruno Fernandes has issued a transfer plea to the Manchester United brass Credit: GETTY "The club are doing the best they can in terms of all the financial situations they talk about. 'But it was crystal clear that we needed more competition — more quality to get everyone to step up a bit more. Advertisement 'That's what the club and manager are trying to do and, hopefully, we can get one or two players more to help with that.' In what will be music to Fernandes' ears, United chief Berrada revealed: 'The recruitment team is working round the clock to strengthen our squad.' Start with the biggest issue, Omar, not the most eye-catching one. Teams with a polo mint hole in the middle can never win anything.
