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Manchester United’s plans to redevelop Old Trafford will not involve public funding for the time being, according to Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham. The club is exploring options for a £2 billion overhaul, either by building a new 100,000-seat stadium or revamping the current 74,310-capacity ground, but the mayor stressed that club owners would be responsible for the project’s costs.
The redevelopment could form part of a broader “mixed-use” neighborhood, featuring residential apartments, shopping centers, and improved public transport. However, a significant obstacle is the need to relocate a freight rail terminal behind the stadium, a move that could potentially be supported by taxpayer money for infrastructure needs, though no public funds are currently allocated.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Burnham urged the government to help fund a project connecting the under-construction Parkside freight terminal to the West Coast Main Line, which could cost hundreds of millions of pounds. Moving the freight terminal out of Manchester could minimize passenger disruption and open up space for United’s potential redevelopment.
Former Manchester United star Gary Neville, who serves on the club’s taskforce for evaluating the stadium’s future, expressed support for a world-class facility, whether that involves a new build or a refurbishment, with a focus on regeneration in the surrounding area.
