Manchester United has announced plans to build a brand-new football stadium, which will be the largest in the UK.
The new stadium, set to be constructed next to Old Trafford, will hold 100,000 fans and cost around £2 billion. The club hopes the stadium will be ready in five years.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, described the project as an opportunity to build “the world’s greatest football stadium.” The club had considered upgrading Old Trafford but has now confirmed it will build an entirely new ground instead.
The famous architecture firm Foster and Partners will design the stadium. Plans include a massive “umbrella” roof and a public plaza twice the size of London’s Trafalgar Square. One of the most striking features will be three towering masts called “the trident,” standing 200 meters high and visible from 25 miles away.
The project is expected to create 92,000 new jobs and attract an additional 1.8 million visitors to the area every year. Manchester mayor Andy Burnham welcomed the announcement, saying that Manchester United “should have the best football stadium in the world.”
However, some fans are uncertain. The Manchester United Supporters Trust wants to know how the club will afford the new stadium. Despite concerns, the group said the plans could be “very exciting.”
Old Trafford has been Manchester United’s home since 1910, and the club will continue playing there until the new stadium is completed. Once finished, Old Trafford is expected to be demolished.
