Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force initially conclude new stadium is the best option

The Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force has initially concluded that a new stadium build for Manchester United would be a more transformative option than redeveloping the existing ground.

Four meetings have taken place around the feasibility of the project, which would be built on club-owned land adjacent to Old Trafford and elevate the community.

While it is premature to suggest that this is the only direction United will take, it is the favoured route to create a new world-class venue with surrounding benefits.

The club own an expansive amount of land around Old Trafford which they feel is under-utilised and could be repurposed for housing, leisure, business, and education, driving investment and jobs and improving the environment.

United have been researching some of the best stadium regeneration projects across sport, particularly those that have sparked a drastic transformation in the community like SoFi Stadium in LA, in which they suffered pre-season defeat to Arsenal.

The club held several meetings with the team behind that development, which is privately-funded, in the lead up to the tour to learn from the project.

Collette Roche, United’s chief operating officer, also visited the Bernabeu earlier this year to extract lessons from Real Madrid’s approach. The Chicago Bears’ Burnham Park Project, where a new stadium will serve as a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider area, is being studied.

United have also spent time engaging around Tottenham Stadium and Wembley.

Financing is one of the key considerations of the Task Force, and a wide variety of potential private funding sources will be explored. There could be opportunities for a public-private partnership to power the regeneration of the area.

A full recommendation from the Task Force will be made towards the end of the year following a period of consultation with key stakeholders, which includes fans and local residents.

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[seeks]

Ahhh task forces, spending an eternity and buckets of money to come to the same conclusions most people are already aware of

[Bert-lwot]

I wonder how much they paid this task force to state the bloody obvious?

[Deadmansworld]

I could have come to the same conclusion for 5 quid

[mrartdeco]

Young Trafford being a real thing is wild

[rhys]

Task force 😂😂😂 these high paid corporates come up with the biggest BS

[MorAodhan]

Bunch of *_smart arses_* in the comments completely ignoring the main point - that a rebuild/refurb of Old Trafford is not viable. Big news to sentimental and/or older United fans.

[leejohnson]

It's amazing what modern engineers can do, just look at the Bernebau renovation. The roof of the current ground could be replaced with a new lighter modern roof. The interior concourses of the stands could be completely modernised and opened up. The south stand could be expanded over the railway line.

The problem with renovating and expanding Old Trafford isn't an engineering one. But the legal and social barriers concerning building over railway property, and demolishing residential homes are difficult to overcome.

[amann]

About time, this stadium is over 100 years old and in shambles we definitely need a new stadium

[stevencollins]

If the government pay anything towards this from my taxes, I ain't paying them anymore. Absolute ridiculous 1 of the richest clubs in the world with billionaire owners will be asking for funding. Whilst paying there players absolute astonishing wages.

[lukealex]

I was in favour of redevlopment but after seeing the Sofi stadium the other night I cant help but think a brand new stadium, one of the biggest and best in the world is probably the right option. The time has come for a change and since Fergie left weve been living in the past a little with sentimental appointments and dining out on former glories. Looks likely that a new stadium will be the outcome. Paid for by the british tax payer and rival fans hopefully 😂

[ĈiamGrandaOfficiel]

We can't leave Old Trafford, too much History... Barcelona found a way we also need to find a way.

[SpireUtd]

Who here remembers, Dennis Law's back heel, Tommy Doc's Red Army, The Stretford End, Scoreboard & Paddock, all standing, all feared by opposition, behind fences, toilet where you stood, singing actual songs & witty chants, scuffling with the coppers sent in to evict the overly boisterous. Who here remembers the change to all seats, shut up sit down. Bullied by stewards. The good old days! 😉 ... & so we move on, bring it on, no clock turns backward.

[notfirstyourlast]

Better is a very vague comment. Better in what way?

[nicholaszulu]

This period requires dedication from owners. It can be costly and may require budget cuts even cutting on spending on new players

[rosssloman]

It’s necessary. United are without question one of the three biggest clubs in the world, and really it’s RM and MU that are the biggest in terms of support. United need a stadium befitting their size. This is it. They have to move.

[HerveSiv]

The due diligence behind the scene is the key. A task force was needed to confirm the obvious.

[abo]

Sir jim doing alot of 'exploring, discussing, assessing'
Same ground, same manager, new bosses
How about getting around to do some fixing
Start with the roof so there's no waterfall images
Maybe i can be on jims task force now

[mivanp]

So fi stadium in red and black, white is dreamy

[Gehinomlezvuvim]

Ten hag s regeneration: NEW WIG from Liddle 👊👊👊👊❤️❤️❤️

[danielson]

Did they get a brown envelope to say this