Manchester United co-owner Joel Glazer is in favor of renovating Old Trafford rather than embarking on a complete rebuild, according to reports. The stadium is due for a long-overdue facelift, with plans being put in place after incoming part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes the reins. It is reported that Sir Jim agreed to invest over £200million with the condition of revamping United’s infrastructure.
There are discussions about whether this investment will go towards renovating Old Trafford or starting from scratch with a new stadium. Manchester United and Glazer are inclined towards a renovation, as they believe the character of the 113-year-old ground would be difficult to replicate with a completely new stadium. Talks are ongoing about the possibility of hosting matches at Old Trafford with reduced capacity during the renovation process, which could take up to a decade.
Meanwhile, Sir Jim is keen on spearheading the project to bring a top-tier stadium to the north, capable of rivaling Wembley. There are considerations about potential UK Government funding for this project. A brand new stadium would cost United around £2billion, while a major renovation would also be considerably expensive, involving new car parks, roadways, and a station as part of the proposed project.
Sir Jim emphasized the need for time, patience, and rigorous professional management in his address to the Manchester United Supporters Trust, expressing his ambition to take Manchester United back to the top of English, European, and world football.