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7 months ago
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The future of Old Trafford is still up in the air.
Manchester United have not decided whether to rebuild or revamp Old Trafford, according to Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who has held talks with INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Stadium developers Populous were hired by United to explore options to potentially build a new stadium two years ago. Fans were disgruntled – but unsurprised – when plans were put on hold during a 13-month strategic review.
INEOS will soon own 25% of United (once the deal is ratified by the Premier League) and they have started making plans for the future of the football club.
Ratcliffe was accompanied by Burnham during the memorial service for the 66th anniversary of the Munich air disaster last Tuesday. It is clear they’ve become closer since the British billionaire made it clear he wanted to buy into Manchester United, even though the former Labour MP is an Everton fan.
“The first thing I would just say is it’s good to be able to have a conversation about the future and how we might support the club’s ambitions,” Burnham told the Manchester Evening News.
“It’s for them to decide what those ambitions are and what they want to do. And it’s not for me to cut across those discussions in any way.
“What I can say, though, is it is for us to back the club in terms of its ambitions but also in terms of unlocking the power of the club in the city-region and beyond. We work with both clubs and we want the power of both clubs to be felt to the full extent in the east and west of the city-region. Conversations are ongoing.
“I don’t think the club’s made its decision yet, but whatever happens, we will back them whatever those decisions are.”
Let us know in the comments section what you think United should do with Old Trafford.
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