Man United face crushing stadium blow after new reveal - Stefan Borson

Man United face crushing stadium blow after new reveal – Stefan Borson

Manchester United have announced plans to build a 100,000-seater stadium as part of the government’s regeneration of the Old Trafford area.

Man United’s expert task force – which includes Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and ex-defender Gary Neville – recommended the new development over the prospect of improving the club’s existing home.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has insisted he wants the new stadium to be the “world’s greatest” and potentially be completed within five years.

Lord Norman Foster, founder of Foster and Partners, which will design the project, said the stadium would feature an umbrella design and a new public plaza that is “twice the size of Trafalgar Square”.

The design will also comprise three masts described as “the trident” that will be 200 metres high and visible from 25 miles away.

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider United could have to reduce the capacity to around 90,000 after the feasibility and build-cost analysis are completed.

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United’s new stadium could cost around £3billion due to the interest costs they will incur during the build process.

Man United facing “big” question marks after financial reveal

Borson insisted there are some “big” question marks over the development as United are yet to confirm how they will fund it.

He told Football Insider: “There are almost no stadiums anywhere in the world that have been built with 100,000 seats.

“You are talking about a handful, and certainly not modern stadiums with over 100,000.

“I think there is a pretty good chance that when they do the full feasibility and build-cost analysis that they can’t get to 100,000, and maybe they’re down to 90,000.

“All of these things are going to cut across the economics of the stadium.

“I would say right now, people just need to be slightly cautious about too many predictions in respect to what will happen here.

“Until we’ve got a good steer as to what the plan is on how you fund a project like this, I think there are some big question marks.”

Ranking Stadium Capacity 1 Old Trafford (Man United) 74,197 2 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Tottenham) 62,850 3 London Stadium (West Ham) 62,500 4 Anfield (Liverpool) 61,276 5 Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) 60,704 6 Etihad Stadium (Man City) 52,900 England’s six biggest club stadiums

Man United in pole position to agree Juan Gimenez deal

Football Insider revealed on 11 March United are leading the race for Juan Gimenez after the 18-year-old centre-back has impressed for Argentinian side Rosario.

Ruben Amorim’s side are exploring the South American market as they look to land top talent to bolster their squad.

Gimenez has emerged on United’s radar after catching the eye of Old Trafford scouts.

The Manchester giants have signed the likes of Diego Leon, Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi-Martin in recent transfer windows, while they completed a big-money deal for Leny Yoro last summer.

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