In the context of increasing ticket demand, Man United expects a six-figure capacity at the new Old Trafford stadium to nearly meet the number of fans wanting to watch the "Red Devils" each season.
The new Old Trafford project management team established by INEOS believes that the best way to enhance the fan experience is to build a new stadium. Currently, the plan is at the stage of completing the sponsorship campaign.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe himself also prefers building a new Old Trafford rather than renovating the old one. The new stadium, targeted by the British billionaire, will be located right next to the old one. Therefore, when the management team is constructing, the players can still play in Manchester without having to rent another stadium.
The most challenging issue is money if INEOS decides on the new construction of Old Trafford. The initial estimated figure is over 2 billion pounds, but the actual cost could be much higher. The project management team has only agreed that whether renovating the old stadium or building a new one, the historical characteristics of Old Trafford must be preserved. This is the identity that has accompanied the club for the past 114 years.
Building a new stadium also takes a lot of time, estimated to require 6 years. The Man United leadership is aware of this. If the project duration is too long, there could be countless changes, even incidents affecting the construction process within those 6 years. Besides money, time is also a challenging problem.
As for the new leadership of Man United, such as the duo CEO Omar Berrada and Collette Roche, they also agree with the new construction option. They share the view that having a new stadium will help Man United develop further in the coming years. The SoFi Stadium in the USA is the model being targeted for Old Trafford. Besides the playing space, it is also a complex for entertainment development, restaurant services, and even a campus for schools.
The owner of Arsenal - Stan Kroenke once raised 5.5 billion USD to build a stadium for the LA Rams football team. Besides the football field, Hollywood Park is also located at this site, bringing a grand appearance and a significant annual revenue.
Looking at the grandeur of Real Madrid with Bernabeu or not far away, Emirates and Tottenham are also models Old Trafford should aim for. Modern football has many ways to increase revenue, and the "Red Devils" also need a large enough headquarters to elevate the club's stature.
