Keir Starmer meets Jim Ratcliffe for Old Trafford redevelopment talks

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer met with Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe on Sunday to discuss the redevelopment of Old Trafford.

The PA news agency understands Mr Starmer attended United’s Premier League game against Arsenal as a guest of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who is a member of the task force exploring options for how to revitalise United’s home ground.

Burnham was also present at the talks ahead of kick-off along with Lord Coe, chair of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force.

The task force, which also includes former United captain Gary Neville, met for the first time last month, with Ratcliffe looking to build a world-class stadium by either redeveloping Old Trafford or constructing a new ground on adjacent land owned by the Premier League club.

The stadium is the focal point of the project, which is looking to regenerate the wider Trafford Park area.

It is understood the discussions with Arsenal fan Starmer were part of ongoing engagement with political leaders on a local, regional and national level as options for the project are explored.

With redevelopment of the existing site costing in the region of £1 billion and building a new stadium altogether requiring a £2 billion outlay, the task force will also examine options for financing the project.