MANCHESTER UNITED admit they “risk” a five-year trophy drought by committing £2BILLION to ‘New Trafford’.
United yesterday unveiled their vision for a state-of-the-art, 100,000-seater home next to the Theatre of Dreams.
PAMan Utd have unveiled ambitious plans for a new £2bn stadium[/caption]
GettyCo-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe revealed the club would have gone bust without his intervention[/caption]
PAUnited chief executive Omar Berrada admits the £2bn outlat is a “risk”[/caption]
But it came less than 24 hours after co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed the club could have gone bust by Christmas without his savage cost-cutting measures.
The “brave” stadium plans were backed by legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
While chief executive Omar Berrada hopes current under-fire boss Ruben Amorim will still be in charge when the stadium is completed in 2030.
However, asked if the build could affect their competitiveness on the pitch, Berrada admitted: “That is a risk.
“Clearly it’s something we want to avoid.
“We don’t want to inhibit our ability to invest in the team, for us to continue being competitive while we are building a new stadium.
“There are various ways around that; one of the things we are looking at is to shorten the construction timelines so we can have a new stadium within five years, that’s our ambition.
“In the meantime, by getting our finances back in order and becoming profitable, we believe we can be very competitive.”
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Prem rivals Arsenal and Tottenham have also moved homes in recent memory — and suffered on the field as a result.
But Berrada added: “The big benefit that this club has is that it has the biggest fanbase in the world and therefore the ability to be the No 1 in terms of revenues it generates.”
United hope to start construction this year, but the aim is to be in their new home by the start of the 2030-31 season.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) said the images looked “stunning and exciting” but the project raises more questions than answers.
Amorim’s men are currently 14th in the table and many regulars believe the squad needs a major rebuild.
The MUST statement said: “Whilst investment is much needed and welcome, fans remain anxious about what it means and what the consequences will be.
“Will it drive up ticket prices and force out local fans? Will it add to the debt burden which has held back the club for the last two decades?
“Will it lead to reduced investment in the playing side at a time when it is so badly needed?”
Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Red Devils signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as ever
IT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.
On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.
There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.
A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.
Arsenal‘s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.
Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.
United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.
Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances.
The stadium plans were backed by Fergie, who said: “Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does.
“Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home fit for the future, where history can be made.”
United believe they can continue to play in the 74,000-capacity Old Trafford, which has been their home since 1910, right up until their new stadium is ready.
The cost of the project left some fans scratching their heads — as it came just a few hours after Ratcliffe issued his chilling warning about the club’s finances.
Berrada confirmed the stadium, along with club areas like fan zones and a megastore, will not be paid for by the general public.
He added: “We won’t be asking for taxpayer money.
“But, at the same time, the stadium, the new build in isolation does not make sense if there’s not an investment in the wider generation project.”
United will also explore the possibility of raising some cash by selling the new stadium’s naming rights.
Berrada admitted the hope in the boardroom is that Amorim will still be in charge come 2030.
The Frenchman said: “We’d love it if he was still coach when we move.”
United’s hopes of playing Champions League football next term are hanging on them winning the Europa League.
They host Real Sociedad in a last-16 second-leg clash on Thursday night with the score 1-1.
Berrada said: “If we qualify to the Champions League, we will have more revenues and we’ll have more capacity to invest in the team.”
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