‘Ground-breaking news’: Journalist reveals Sir Jim Ratcliffe has decided he wants to build a new Old Trafford



Sir Jim Ratcliffe has seemingly made his mind up on the redevelopment of Old Trafford.

Times Sport journalist Henry Winter shared some ‘ground-breaking news’ on Friday afternoon that Manchester United’s new co-owner is leaning towards building a new stadium for the club, which would remain on the current site.

Both options – building afresh or significant renovation – remain on the table, but Ratcliffe prefers the former and has the backing of the United board. Should it happen, the wider area of Greater Manchester would reap the benefits if outside investors get involved and public-private partnerships are formed.

Of course, the decision wouldn’t be taken too lightly by the United faithful, many of whom have been attending the Theatre of Dreams every other week for decades and hold unforgettable, extraordinary memories of the club’s illustrious history that was created on that very turf. 

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: An aerial view of Old Trafford Stadium, the home of Manchester United Football Club on November 23, 2022 in Manchester, England.

The ‘Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force’

A task force of local leaders and national experts has been put together, chaired by the former Chair of the organising committee for the 2012 London Olympics, Lord Sebastian Coe. Joining him is Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Sara Todd, Chief Executive of Trafford Council, and Gary Neville, former player and captain of United.

Ratcliffe says: “This can be a major regeneration project for an area of Greater Manchester which has played such a key role in British industrial history, but which today requires new investment to thrive again. The north-west of England has a greater concentration of major football clubs than anywhere else in the world, yet we don’t have a stadium on the scale of Wembley, the Nou Camp or Bernabéu. We will not be able to change that on our own, which is why this task force is so important to help us seize this once-in-a-century opportunity.”