Man United unveils 100,000 seater stadium design and people can't believe it's real
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has promised to give Manchester United fans the 'world's greatest stadium', but supporters of the club aren't so sure that it's easy on the eyes.
The team's billionaire co-owner, 72, unveiled plans for a 'truly state-of-the-art stadium' today (11 March) which will certainly make a unique addition to the Manchester skyline.
The architecture firm working on the historic project, Foster + Partners, also shared conceptual images of what they are about to cook up. But it seems that not everyone is too keen on the style of Old Trafford 2.0, as people online have been comparing the stadium design to some pretty unflattering things.
Social media users have had a field day this morning while discussing the team's new home on X after Man United shared a video detailing the plans.
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The footage was accompanied by the caption: "This is your future. Your home. Your United." Take a look at this:
The eventual move into the 100,000-capacity venue will mark the end of an era for fans, as the club has called the 'Theatre of Dreams' home for the last 115 years.
So, the new stadium has some huge shoes to fill.
And although some people are quite impressed by the stadium's modern design, a lot of others reckon it's just downright daft.
One person said: "Man United’s £2bn stadium plans...Spending £2 billion designing a circus tent - perfect for the football on display. Looks like a UFO docking station for Ruben’s next panic signings."
Another wrote: "Only Man United could design a stadium that looks like Butlins."
A third joked: "Man United stadium architects in ChatGPT, 'How do we incorporate the devils trident in a stadium?'"
A fourth fumed: "Why are Man United spending £2bn on the circus tent stadium when surely it doesn’t cost anywhere near that to just make like 20 Old Trafford Party Stands joined together?"
But not everyone was as brutal when it came to sharing their thoughts on Man United's new home, which Ratcliffe said will be a 'catalyst for social and economic renewal' in Manchester.
One dubbed the design a 'masterpiece', as another added: "Best stadium I have ever seen." as a second said: "It looks really good. Love the trident thing."
And a third diplomatic user chimed in: "This is going to be marmite, but ngl, I don’t mind people taking risks with architecture even if it isn’t to my taste.
"Seeing all the modern stadiums looking the same and lacking in character is boring."
Officials claim United's new stadium will create as many as 92,000 jobs and 17,000 new homes in Greater Manchester, while Ratcliffe said a new home will breathe new life into the club.
"Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford," he said.
"Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport.
"By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience, only footsteps from our historic home.
"Just as important is the opportunity for a new stadium to be the catalyst for social and economic renewal of the Old Trafford area, creating jobs and investment, not just during the construction phase, but on a lasting basis when the stadium district is complete," Ratcliffe continued.
"The Government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priority, particularly in the north of England, and we are proud to be supporting that mission with this project of national, as well as local, significance."
Sir Alex Ferguson said of the new stadium: "Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in.
"Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made."
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham also threw his support behind the plans.
"If we get this right, the regeneration impact could be bigger and better than London 2012," he said. "Manchester United could, and indeed should, have the best football stadium in the world. To me, that means a stadium that is true to the traditions of the club, affordable to all, with nobody priced out."
Topics: Football, Sport, Manchester United, Viral, Social Media, UK News
Olivia Burke