Manchester United's Old Trafford plan just took a big step forward

The next stage of the project to transform Old Trafford stadium and its surrounding areas has been announced. A 'strategic partnership' has been formed between Manchester United, Trafford council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the body made up of our region's ten local councils.

Trafford Council says the strategic partnership will work closely with the club and focus on regeneration of the wider area, to bring social and economic benefits to Greater Manchester residents.

United has previously said the 'development of a world-class football stadium' is 'at the heart of the project'. And the club has previously announced its own Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force to oversee the future of Old Trafford and regeneration of the surrounding area. Its members include Andy Burnham and Gary Neville and it is chaired by former Olympian, Lord Sebastian Coe.

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The argument between the prospect of a newly-built stadium on land surrounding the current ground or the redevelopment of Old Trafford is a topic of fierce debate among supporters. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Failsworth born billionaire and co-owner of Manchester United has not publicly commented on the matter.

But the M.E.N. has previously reported that Sir Jim has tasked staff with formulating plans for a new stadium, with the club wanting to preserve the history of the existing Old Trafford site rather than demolishing it.

The council has said regeneration plans for the area include 5,000 new homes, retail developments and transport links. Lord Coe said: "The objective of this once-in-a-generation project is not only the development of a world-class stadium for the north of England,