Manchester United have officially announced plans to leave Old Trafford, their home of over a century, in favor of a state-of-the-art 100,000-seat stadium.
The decision, unveiled on Tuesday, has been backed by legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and will be written as one of the most ambitious projects in the club’s history.
A Bold Move Towards the Future
After more than a year of deliberation by the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force and extensive fan consultations, the club opted against renovating the existing stadium.
Instead, United will construct a new world-class arena on a site adjacent to Old Trafford, ensuring they can continue playing at their current ground until the new venue is completed.
“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,” co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said.
“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.”
Ferguson Backs “Brave” Decision
Sir Alex Ferguson, who led United through their most successful era, admitted it was an emotional but necessary step.
“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,” Ferguson said.
“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.”
The Largest Stadium in the UK
With a planned capacity of 100,000, the new venue would surpass Wembley (90,000) as the largest stadium in the UK and one of the biggest in Europe.
The move aligns with a wider £7.3 billion ($9.4 billion) regeneration project around Old Trafford, which includes 17,000 new homes.
British architect Norman Foster has reportedly been appointed to design the new stadium, but details on funding remain unclear.
Fan Protests Amid Ownership Uncertainty
The announcement comes just days after thousands of United fans marched in protest against the club’s ownership.
Despite Ratcliffe’s recent investment, the Glazer family remains the majority owner, and growing discontent over cost-cutting measures, ticket price hikes, and on-field struggles has fueled fan frustration.
United, once a dominant force in English and European football, have endured their worst Premier League campaign in decades, with the team currently languishing in mid-table.
Ratcliffe, however, remains determined to restore the club’s glory.
“This is about setting Manchester United up for success in the future—on and off the pitch,” he said.
