Jim Ratcliffe, ManU outline plans for Old Trafford's future

Premier League club Manchester United minority owner Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos officials have “already begun dialogue” with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Trafford Council leaders and other civic officials over the “future of Old Trafford at the same time as starting to explore financial options,” according to James Ducker of the London TELEGRAPH. Sources suggested that such a “major regeneration programme could attract Government funds” under the “levelling up” initiative. Even with financial assistance from the state, though, ManU would have to “drum up huge sums of money to fund such a project.” Financing options available to ManU would have to be “explored,” but one suggestion was the “creation of a separate stadium development company that could see the club effectively paying rental to use the stadium over an agreed period until such time it became their own.” Ratcliffe is due to gain complete control of football operations as part of his deal for a minority shareholding, but the Glazers have since “agreed that Ineos should have a broader influence encompassing key decisions across the business.” The future of Old Trafford is “principal among those and Ratcliffe” is “keen to play a decisive role in helping to drive that forward.” ManU would not be the first club in Manchester to “benefit from facilities built with public money,” Manchester City are council tenants at Etihad Stadium. Around $98.5M from the National Lottery and $62M from the Manchester City Council “contributed to its build and it was converted to a football stadium at the public’s expense too.” The “key difference” is that ManU would retain ownership of the stadium (London TELEGRAPH, 2/6).

CURRENT STATUS: In London, Matt Lawton writes it “seems unlikely at this stage” that ManU will get any aid from taxpayers, but the club “may receive assistance in the form of tax breaks and relaxed planning regulations.” The new stadium could be “part of a larger redevelopment zone that would possibly stretch down to the Manchester Ship Canal and link Old Trafford with BBC’s headquarters in Salford.” A final decision on whether redeveloping Old Trafford is the “right way forward has not been made.” However, there is a “strong argument” that a refurbishment of the 114-year-old stadium would “prove to be only a short-term measure.” An “alternative approach” to upgrading Old Trafford would be to “build a new home on the huge amount [of] land United own behind the Stretford End” (London TIMES, 2/7).

A NEW LOOK: Ducker in a separate piece wrote ManU is “in the privileged position of owning considerable swathes of land around Old Trafford,” but the club has “done precious little with it.” The idea of a new stadium forms the “centrepiece of a village boasting entertainment, sport and leisure, retail, commercial and community facilities” and is the “sort of exciting vision that better owners would have sought to swing into action long before now.” Yet Ratcliffe, it is “quickly becoming clear,” has “grand ambitions of his own for United, both on and off the field, and appears to be in a hurry to get the ball rolling.” His presence at Old Trafford yesterday for a service to mark the 66th anniversary of the Munich air disaster was “evidence of a man who understands what matters to fans.” ManU “should not be dissuaded from thinking big even if the financing ultimately falls squarely on the club and Ratcliffe’s shoulders.” Ducker: “Old Trafford as we know it is crumbling but a new stadium could spearhead a new era of rapid growth, pride and optimism.” Ducker noted ManU makes “just over” $5M per game and is currently “selling out 73,000 every week.” Revenues would “soar in a new 90,000 capacity ground” (London TELEGRAPH, 2/6).

FUTURE VISION: In Manchester, Jack Flintham notes ManU has “lost out on serious revenue because of a leaky roof, cramped conditions and an ultimately poor matchday experience.” Ineos’ new investment has “welcomed with it fresh hope of a rejuvenation project.” How Ratcliffe implements this vision is “up for debate.” Despite how much they “oppose one another,” the Glazers and supporters “appear to be united on the idea of keeping Old Trafford” (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 2/7).

SHOWING FACE: In Manchester, Samuel Luckhurst notes Ratcliffe has now “made three separate visits to Manchester since the Ineos Group agreed to take a 25% stakeholding in the club.” A source said that Ratcliffe is “getting down to business” at ManU as Ineos awaits regulatory approval for their stake from the Premier League. Other figures from Ineos are also “understood to be spending extensive time in Manchester” as the group continues its “audit of United amid planned structural change.” Club staff have also “flown to Monaco, where Ratcliffe resides, for additional meetings” (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 2/7).