Manchester United has announced that a decision on whether to redevelop Old Trafford or construct a new stadium will be made by summer 2025.
The Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, which includes prominent figures like Jim Ratcliffe, Sebastian Coe, Gary Neville, and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, has been spearheading the initiative to determine the future of the iconic venue.
Sebastian Coe shared an update on Instagram, stating: “I chaired the final meeting of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force for 2024.
This concludes months of feasibility studies aimed at exploring how a world-class football stadium could drive regeneration around Old Trafford, delivering social and economic benefits for the community and region.”
Coe revealed that input was gathered from over 50,000 fans, local residents, businesses, and other stakeholders.
The findings were compiled into an options report discussed with Manchester United, Trafford Borough Council, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Coe emphasized the importance of using sports as a catalyst for urban transformation, adding, “Manchester United will now work with local authorities to review the findings and decide on the next steps.”
The task force, formed in March 2024, has prioritized balancing world-class facilities with community development. When the project was unveiled, United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe highlighted the significance of the endeavor.
“This is a chance to regenerate an area of Greater Manchester steeped in industrial history but in need of new investment,” Ratcliffe stated.
Ratcliffe also noted that, while the northwest of England boasts an unparalleled density of major football clubs, it lacks a stadium comparable to international icons like Wembley, the Nou Camp, or the Bernabeu.
“This task force represents a once-in-a-century opportunity to deliver a stadium that rivals the greatest in the world,” he added.
As Manchester United and local authorities deliberate on the report’s findings, fans and residents await a decision that could redefine the future of the club and the surrounding community.