Old Trafford’s capacity could be increased as part of plans to revamp Manchester United’s stadium.
Last month, the club invited architects to pitch ideas to them about how they could improve the stadium, which is in need of a makeover in some areas after years of neglect.
While United have not stipulated to the architects that more seats must be installed, it is understood that an increase in capacity is one of the options on the table.
At present, Old Trafford holds 74,410, making it the largest domestic football stadium in the United Kingdom. Despite this, there are still long waiting lists for season tickets and most games are sold out.
United officials told supporters in a recent fans’ forum that a master planner would soon be appointed to oversee the renovation of the stadium although the process is still at an “early stage” and that “it is too soon to talk about timetables”.
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It is understood that United have told potential bidders for the contracts that they want the first team to be able to continue playing at Old Trafford during any refurbishment.
For a number of years the presence of a railway line behind the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand has prevented any kind of expansion. However, advances in technology mean that is no longer the problem it was.
United have already picked a new master planner to oversee a revamp of the club’s training ground in Carrington. They have been tasked with erecting a number of buildings for the women’s team, who moved to Carrington nine months ago.
Earlier this year, the Glazer family vowed to improve facilities at Carrington and Old Trafford after fans’ protests against their controversial reign.
The American family completed their leveraged takeover of the club in 2005, saddling United with hundreds of millions of pounds of debt in the process.
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The club’s latest accounts, published in November, showed that United’s net debt stands at £439.7 million.
