Manchester United plan to build a new stadium on the site of Old Trafford – with confirmation of the move to come by the end of the year.

United’s preferred option is to build a completely new 100,00-seater state-of-the-art stadium on land adjacent to Old Trafford – at a cost of around £2billion – by 2030. It is understood that United’s plan is to stay at Old Trafford and continue playing there while they build on adjacent land – which would see them avoid playing at a temporary venue.

The other option is to redevelop Old Trafford, although that would present logistical issues, including having to reduce attendances from 75,000 to around 40,000 while the work was carried out or play at an alternative venue.

United have set up the Old Trafford Task Force, to assess the feasibility of both options, with officials having visited stadiums all over the world on fact finding missions to gain intel on how to build the best sports arena in the U.K.

Erik ten Hag’s instant reaction to Leny Yoro as Man Utd new signing consoled by team-mates

Jonny Evans shares Rasmus Hojlund’s instant reaction after concerning Man Utd injury
Those stadiums include the Bernabeu, Nou Camp and the 70,000-capacity SoFi in Los Angeles, arguably the finest sports arena in the world, where United lost 2-1 to Arsenal in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, now in charge of football operations at United, has a bold vision for Old Trafford which includes a major regeneration of the local area, in terms of amenities and job creation.

The So-Fi project did just that, at an overall cost of around £4billion, funded by Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, with the ‘Hollywood Park’ area around the stadium boasting a 6,000 concert venue, apartments and hotels.

United see SoFi as a blueprint for their own grand vision for a new Old Trafford and the subsequent regeneration of the surrounding area that such a bold stadium transformation would bring.

The cost of the new stadium would be met by a mix of private and public investment, with the Government providing funding for the necessary improved transport links required.

SoFi Stadium, where Manchester United played their pre-season friendly against Arsenal, is a source of inspiration for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new stadium plans ( 
Image:
Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former United striker Andy Cole, who is out in the US on the club’s pre-season tour, was impressed by SoFi and its positive impact on the local community, a legacy he feels could be replicated with Old Trafford.

“What left the biggest impression on me is how the stadium has been central to the rise of Inglewood,” said Cole. “I have been coming to LA for years and that area of the city was never previously somewhere you would choose to go as a visitor.

“To see how it’s become such a thriving neighbourhood, with SoFi at the heart of it, is an inspirational example of inner-city regeneration. I don’t draw this comparison lightly, but you can see a parallel with the opportunity back home in Manchester.

“A new or redeveloped stadium at Old Trafford could be the focal point for revitalisation of the surrounding area. Manchester United fans and everyone in the north of England deserves a truly world-class stadium and So-Fi set the standard to aim for.

“This is the kind of arena the best players in the world want to be playing in and fans want to be experiencing.”