Manchester United chief visits spectacular Bernabeu to explore Old Trafford regeneration

The task force exploring plans to regenerate Old Trafford.

On Monday, Lord Sebastian Coe chaired the initial meeting of the Old Trafford regeneration talk force.

Those involved got the ball rolling as they discussed ways to develop a world-class stadium for Manchester United. The task force includes former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, chief operating officer Collette Roche and MUST chairman Duncan Drasdo.

Yesterday, I chaired the first meeting of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force to kick off a conversation about how development of a world-class football stadium for the north of England can deliver social and economic benefits for the region.

 

At the London 2012 Olympics, I… pic.twitter.com/TTntfdwcDa

— Seb Coe (@sebcoe) April 16, 2024

According to the Daily Mail, Roche was spotted by Man City fans flying back from their Champions League quarter-final in Madrid last week. The newspaper has learnt that she was in the Spanish capital to look at the spectacularly remodelled Bernabeu.

Real Madrid have spent £1.5 million to give the Bernabeu a makeover – but the task force for the Old Trafford regeneration is still considering multiple options such as knocking the stadium to rebuild on the same site or revamping the Theatre of Dreams instead.

The report also points out that before Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrived at United, Roche would have been more likely to travel to Spain in business class – rather than on a budget Easyjet flight with City fans.

Ineos are right to cut spending because it doesn’t make sense to have corporate credit cards or chauffer driven cars for suits at a club when we have financial obstacles to tackle as well as a crippling debt inflicted by the Glazers.

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