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INEOS’ bold plans to build Manchester United a new home has been met with trepidation as well as excitement by the club’s fanbase.
Moving from the historic Old Trafford would come with a heavy heart for many match-going fans with the thought of knocking down the famous ground not sitting well with a large section of supporters.
However, as reported by the Daily Mail, there are conversations around potentially keeping the Theatre of Dreams alive, alongside building a new £2 billion modernised home.
United are considering a scaled-down version of Old Trafford that would provide a permanent home for the women’s and academy teams, allowing the ground to stay in use.
The ambitious plan would see United reduce the capacity in their current home from 75,000 to 30,000, additionally allowing for most of the celebrated features in and around the ground to stay in situ.
As well as keeping the hallowed turf in use, the Munich clock and tunnel that commemorate the 1958 air disaster, and the statues dedicated to legends of the club including Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby and the holy trinity of George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton would also stay erect.
Reducing capacity would naturally come with challenges but the plan includes downsizing the Stretford End, Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and East Stand to single story structures.
The work would begin after the new stadium is fully up and running to allow United to remain in the current ground and continue to reap the benefits from their sizable home support.
It’s said United have surveyed around 30,000 fans over the plans to move from Old Trafford with the response understood to be approximately 50/50. This figure is likely to dramatically alter if these ground-breaking plans are confirmed, however, with supporters then able to have the best of both worlds moving forward.
With INEOS keep to keep fans close to the key decisions made regarding such issues, getting the majority of supporters onside will certainly help with their desire to move United from their home of 114 years rather than redevelop the current ground.
Given the majority of stadium moves end with old grounds being bulldozed and redeveloped, United would be creating a unique situation that allows the history of the club to shine bright, next to a new home.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has set an end-of-year deadline for his crack team to get their plans in place regarding building a new stadium and the decision on whether to keep Old Trafford is likely to play a huge role in fans mood toward the final outcome.
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