Manchester United drop clear £2bn new stadium hint after Sir Jim Ratcliffe wish

Manchester United have dropped a hint that they are planning on building a new stadium with talks reportedly opening over a new long-term deal to host the Rugby League Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

According to City A.M. United are in talks with the Rugby Football League (RFL) over the event, with the current agreement expiring after next month’s finale. It will be the 25th out of the last 26 finals that Old Trafford has hosted.

The report says that the RFL has proposed a one-year extension given the uncertainty over the future of Old Trafford. However, the club are willing to discuss a longer-term deal, in the biggest hint yet that a new stadium could be built nearby.

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Since his takeover, co-chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe has tasked staff with planning a new and improved stadium. The Manchester Evening News understands Ratcliffe and United wish to preserve the history of the existing Old Trafford instead of demolishing it.

United are considering several different redevelopment plans for Old Trafford. The only one that would enable the stadium to keep being used - most likely at a reduced capacity - during the process is the building of a new stadium which could cost in the region of £2billion.

Therefore, United’s willingness to commit to a longer-term contract with the RFL hints that this is the option they are looking at, as reported by the Manchester Evening News last month. It is claimed that building the new stadium would take between six and eight years, allowing Old Trafford to be used while the stadium is