New Old Trafford approval, £2bn fee, huge capacity - Man United stadium options and what they mean

Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces the delicate task of balancing tradition and heritage with modernity and progressiveness in his plans to re-establish Old Trafford as a world-leading stadium.

The Manchester United co-owner has set up a taskforce to oversee the project, with the cohort - made up of notable figures such as Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and former club captain Gary Neville - required to deliver their final proposals by December.

It is understood that two options are on the table; to revamp the current structure or to rebuild entirely. It appears that moving location is out of the question amid a vision for new plans, in whatever form, to provide investment into the surrounding community to keep that local link and historical connection.

The question then comes down to how to go about this, and which of the two aforementioned options is most suitable.

MEN Sport understands that United are looking to submit a planning application for a brand new 100,000-seater stadium by the end of the calendar year, a construction that - if approved - would see Old Trafford become the second-biggest stadium in Europe.

There is optimism that an initial 90,000 seats could be installed - the same number as Wembley, and 9,000 fewer than the Nou Camp - with capacity to extend up to six figures. The Nou Camp is currently undergoing work to become a 105,000-spectator stadium.

It is thought a new build of such mass size would cost at least £2 billion and take a number of years to complete. Old Trafford was not included in England’s successful Euro 2028 bid due to anticipated works on the site.

The stadium taskforce is currently leaning towards a total rebuild of a new Old Trafford on the site of the car park, which is owned by the club.

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