‘It will be like the fight scene at end of Anchorman’ – expert predicts scrap over £2bn contract for new Man Utd stadium
MANCHESTER UNITED’S new stadium could spark a scrap like “the fight scene at the end of Anchorman”, according to the designer of Everton’s ground.
Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to build a new 100,000-seater stadium or renovate and extend the Sir Bobby Charlton stand.
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A final decision is not expected until next year but the club have already released pictures of what an Old Trafford regeneration could look like.
AI images have also been mocked up to show how a new Man Utd ground may look – including a roof and circular shape.
The plans are expected to cost Ineos around £2billion.
And Dan Meis, who has designed both Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock and Roma’s Stadio della Roma, believes there will be an almighty fight between architects to secure the seismic contract.
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Speaking to The Times, he said: “I don’t know if you’ve seen the fight scene between the rival news crews at the end of Anchorman, but it’s going to be like that.”
The Anchorman reference relates to a scene in the second film in 2013 where a host of famous faces appear in groups for a final showdown.
Foster + Partners, who designed Wembley Stadium, produced drawings of how the ground could look.
However, the project is still in the early stages of discussions – with a task force headed up by Lord Coe expected to share a “feasibility study” in 2025 detailing the options for both a new stadium and Old Trafford renovations.
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MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.
However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.
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Ratcliffe spoke back in February about building a new stadium, saying: “It’s about time someone built a national stadium in the north of England.
“If it can be achieved, it would clearly be my preference.
Inside the SoFi Stadium as Man Utd look for inspiration for new Old Trafford
“I would be very excited for the north of England.”
Architects are assembling at the Old Trafford cricket ground next week for The Stadium Business Design & Development Summit.
But Man Utd’s home is not on the agenda at the meeting.
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