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INEOS must consult with fans over any proposed plans to change the name of ‘Old Trafford’ as it is a “highly emotive” topic, according to the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST).
As explained in greater detail here, United’s new ownership structure are exploring a variety of different avenues for the club’s stadium, with two “main options under consideration.”
The first is a refurbishment of the existing ground; the second is a completely new stadium. The latter is believed to be Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s preference with the INEOS owner eminently keen to construct a “Wembley of the North” to house United.
However, the economic outlay involved in either option will be vast and, given finances are stretched at Old Trafford as it is, United are reported to be looking at different options to help generate funding for the project. Sources at the club reveal “nothing is off the table” but insist no concrete steps have been taken yet and are “unlikely to be any time soon.”
One avenue is a hike in matchday ticket prices – an idea MUST disputes as they do not believe fans should “bear the brunt” of increased costs to improve the club’s infrastructure.
“Everyone agrees the stadium needs development and we understand that needs to be paid for. But we do not believe fans should bear the brunt for capital investment via ticket price rises. Funding for capital projects should ideally be sourced from new shares issues rather than debt.”
Another potential source of income being explored is the topic of ‘naming rights’.
If United were to renovate the existing stadium, they may look to retain the name ‘Old Trafford’ but “look for an associated partner, similar to what Wembley have with EE.” England’s national stadium is called ‘Wembley Stadium, connected by EE’ in a similar fashion to Barcelona’s is named the ‘Spotify Camp Nou’.
In this scenario, Old Trafford would remain Old Trafford but simply have a sponsorship title added to it. From a practical perspective, the ground’s name would stay as it always has been.
More controversially, however, is the prospect of a new stadium as this “could involve a new name entirely”. The Telegraph references the transitions by Arsenal and Manchester City into the Emirates Stadium and Etihad Stadium, from Highbury and Maine Road respectively, as evidence of this route.
MUST describes this idea as a “highly emotive” one.
“As to whether the club should sell off stadium naming rights this has long been a highly emotive issues which affects fans directly,” their statement reads. “Fans need to be at the heart of these decisions and we expect the club to start consultation before decisions are made. MUST will be consulting supporters so that their views are heard.”
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