Share this @internewscast.com

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been warned that redeveloping the area around Old Trafford could take up to 20 years amid his plans to revolutionise the stadium. 

Ratcliffe wants to transform Manchester United’s home into the ‘Wembley of the North’, boosting its capacity from around 74,000 to 90,000. 

He desired public funding but Trafford Council have confirmed they will not give a penny towards the plans proposed by United’s new minority owner.  

That’s because Ratcliffe’s glamorous vision sits alongside more pedestrian plans to build a primary school, homes, and business developments. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been warned that the development around Old Trafford could take up to 20 years, with the billionaire keen to turn Man United's stadium into the 'Wembley of the North'

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been warned that the development around Old Trafford could take up to 20 years, with the billionaire keen to turn Man United’s stadium into the ‘Wembley of the North’

His vision is to enhance the stadium's capacity to 90,000 - but other council plans co-exist

His vision is to enhance the stadium’s capacity to 90,000 – but other council plans co-exist 

‘To have a Wembley of the North would be wonderful,’ Liz Patel, Trafford’s Labour councillor,’ said. ‘That is great ambition from Jim Ratcliffe and these [council] plans match that in terms of the setting and the future of the area. 

‘We are looking at a 15 to 20 year plan for the wider area. But United’s own plans [for the stadium] will come to fruition sooner than that. It is a long-term plan and you can see that with what happened around City, it doesn’t happen overnight and these things do take time. 

‘There will be more hotel space, more places to eat and places where public events can happen so people can arrive earlier and stay longer after the match. It could be a much more family friendly space where people want to stay longer and have processional routes through the site.’

Trafford Council have been working on the Trafford Wharfside Development Framework to regenerate the surrounding zone. That was officially greenlit on Monday night. 

Ratcliffe and the council have reportedly already had several conversations about their visions for the future.

Refurbishing the existing 74,000-seater stadium, which opened in 1910, would likely prove to be a short-term measure and would cost in the region of £800million. Meanwhile, a new-build may be anywhere between £1bn and £2bn. 

He has previously described the stadium as ‘tired and in need of refurbishment’. 

In more forceful words, he labelled United’s museum as ‘c**p’ before claiming that the club shop was ‘too small’ for their stature. 

Ratcliffe confirmed plans to deliver a ‘national stadium in the north of England’ last week, adding that his ‘preference’ is to use taxpayers money to fund the project.

Ratcliffe, who officially became a part owner this month, wanted the stadium's transformation to be funded by public money but Trafford Council confirmed they would not give any funding

Ratcliffe, who officially became a part owner this month, wanted the stadium’s transformation to be funded by public money but Trafford Council confirmed they would not give any funding

The area around Old Trafford will get a new school, homes, and business developments 

‘If it can be achieved (with taxpayers’ money), it would clearly be my preference,’ Ratcliffe told the BBC.

‘I would be very excited for the north of England. Trafford Park is where the industrial revolution began. If you look at that region of Manchester today – only a mile from the centre – it is tired and neglected and parts are quite run down.

‘There is quite a big argument, in my view, for regenerating that whole south side of Manchester. The nucleus of it would be building a new world-class state-of-the-art stadium which could take England games, the FA Cup final, Champions League finals. It could serve the north of England.’

However, considering that Trafford Council’s budget last year was £192million, they will not be sparing any change for his utopian idea. 

‘We will seek investment into the Wharfside Development Framework,’ Patel said. ‘How United get together the finances for their own stadium refurbishment would be separate.’

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Transfer Update: Bhoys Profit from Kuhn’s Departure as Winger Prepares for Como Transfer

CELTIC winger Nicolas Kuhn is on the brink of confirming his Parkhead…

Inside Oleksandr Usyk’s Training Strategy: The Secret Tools and Techniques He Uses to Stay Ahead of the Game for the Daniel Dubois Rematch

It’s easy to wonder how he is still managing it. How, at…

Mark Clattenburg Demands Tougher Penalties for Divers in New Mail Podcast, Criticizes Premier League Stars for ‘Cheating’

Former referee Mark Clattenburg has called for more players to be sent…

Yoane Wissa aims to exit Brentford in a historic move to another Premier League team

Yoane Wissa is pushing to leave Brentford this summer, talkSPORT understands. The…

Meet Diego Leon: At 18, This Youngest of Nine from Rural Paraguay’s Humble Beginnings Joins Manchester United as a £7M Rising Star

Manchester United’s search to bolster their options at left back has taken…

AC Milan Unveils Striking 2025/26 Away Kit Featuring Classic Devil Logo

AC Milan has officially revealed their away kit for the 2025/26 season,…

Barcelona Reveals Impressive New Home Kit for Camp Nou Comeback

Barcelona are preparing to make their much-anticipated return to the legendary –…

Joao Pedro Geared Up for Clash: Chelsea Faces Fluminense in Club World Cup Semi-Final with Iconic Boxing Announcer in Attendance

It is believed FIFA have hired Michael Buffer — the legendary ring…

England U-21s triumphantly celebrate their European Championship victory

England’s Under-21 team celebrated in grand fashion after successfully defending their European…

Retired Footballer Completes 37-Hour Fitness Challenge to Honor Late Teammate Joe Thompson, Dies at 36

As the self-doubt started to bleed into Simon Ramsden’s thoughts, his legs…

Shannon Sharpe’s Sexual Assault Accuser Left Without Legal Representation at Initial $50M Lawsuit Hearing

The initial hearing for Shannon Sharpe’s sexual assault lawsuit in Nevada faced…