Bold feature of new United stadium set to stay as Ratcliffe has “his heart set on” it – report

Manchester United fans finally got the news they were waiting for last Spring when plans for a new stadium were released.

New stadium plans

United announced that they would be building a new stadium instead of refurbishing the current Old Trafford.

Whilst they would build on a site adjacent to the current stadium, the new arena would seat 100,000 people.

What’s more, the stadium has been revealed to have a bold design which will see a tent like structure surrounding the stands and the areas around the new Old Trafford.

Commenting on the decision, CEO Omar Berrada added, “our long-term objective as a club is to have the world’s best football team playing in the world’s best stadium.”

Tent here to stay

The Daily Mail reports that “Sir Jim Ratcliffe has his heart set on the tent design and it would be a big surprise if his old friend Sir Norman Foster isn’t handed the £2 billion project.”

The contract to build Old Trafford will be put out to tender and it also must be said that the current designs are said to be “conceptual”.

Commenting on the matter, the club stated “illustrative concepts were produced to help shape thinking and demonstrate the transformative potential of a new stadium. These concepts serve as a starting point for the next phase of work – which will include more detailed feasibility studies, fan consultation, and designer development.”

The process of hiring an architect is currently under way and will be carried out “following appropriate due diligence and in line with governance policies.”

Nonetheless the tent design looks like it is here to stay as it seems likely Fosters’ company will likely earn the contract due to them delivering the upgrade of the new training facilities on time and on budget.

What’s more, Ratcliffe is said to be “a big fan of the bold designs drawn up by Fosters’ team of architects, so the final version is unlikely to differ too much.”

Problems ahead

It isn’t all plain-sailing for United though as they still need to reach an agreement with “Freightliner to acquire the land behind the stadium for the newbuild.”

The company are happy to move but the major sticking point is that they value the land at ten times more than United currently do.

Featured image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images

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