New Man Utd stadium

[He's here!]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvgprplz94yo

Looks spectacular. The time-saving Meccano-style assembly using the canal to transport the pieces is an interesting idea.

Whether it all comes together quite so seamlessly obviously remains to be seen.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Two things spring to mind.

Ratcliffe has just given a far reaching interview saying basically the club was skint, and having to make these difficult decisions (redundancies, ticket prices etc). Two days later they announce a £2 billion stadium. Doesn't add up. Government funding? Pretty outrageous if public money goes to subsidise Ratcliffe and the Glazers.

Secondly, if I was an old school United fan I'd be a bit gutted. If I was watching them play at home I'd want to know it was the same piece of land the Busby Babes played on, George Best, Denis Law, Eric Cantona etc. That sort of history and continuity matters to football fans.

Aside from all of that, no doubt the new stadium will be fantastic.

[Thatdayinmay16]

Two things spring to mind.

Ratcliffe has just given a far reaching interview saying basically the club was skint, and having to make these difficult decisions (redundancies, ticket prices etc). Two days later they announce a £2 billion stadium. Doesn't add up. Government funding? Pretty outrageous if public money goes to subsidise Ratcliffe and the Glazers.

Secondly, if I was an old school United fan I'd be a bit gutted. If I was watching them play at home I'd want to know it was the same piece of land the Busby Babes played on, George Best, Denis Law, Eric Cantona etc. That sort of history and continuity matters to football fans.

Aside from all of that, no doubt the new stadium will be fantastic.

I've been going to OT since I was a boy and I'm gutted they've decided against renovating it but 1.5b to renovate and 2b to completely enhance and build around the surrounding area it makes sense to go with a completely new stadium.

The glazers are as much dodgy as they are a parasite, so I wouldn't rule out public funding being used.

[overdrive]

Going against the grain, I think it looks naff. Looks like a circus big tent or the tent at Ingliston for the Summer Sessions, etc.

[HH81]

Why does it look like it has a big net around it 😅.

To be fair having been to the one they are at several times, they do need a new ground.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Why does it look like it has a big net around it 😅.

To be fair having been to the one they are at several times, they do need a new ground.

United hater doesn't like united stadiums present and future... and in other news blood is red 🤣

[Hibby70]

I suppose with climate change coming, the increase in mosquito population might be quite high. Good forward thinking by the Man Utd board I'd say

[Trinity Hibee]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvgprplz94yo

Looks spectacular. The time-saving Meccano-style assembly using the canal to transport the pieces is an interesting idea.

Whether it all comes together quite so seamlessly obviously remains to be seen.

Looks incredible and is much more than just building a stadium, it’s a whole new village

[Bridge hibs]

Why does it look like it has a big net around it 😅.
To enable them to catch Will Fish ?

[USA_Hibee]

Not a fan of the nets or tower things. Maybe i'd prefer it in person, but not a fan from the images.

Wonder what the majority of fans think - its different. :greengrin

[Renfrew_Hibby]

Not a fan of the nets or tower things. Maybe i'd prefer it in person, but not a fan from the images.

Wonder what the majority of fans think - its different. :greengrin

The 'nets' do look like a big circus tent but they not only cover the seats, they then continue beyond the stadium to cover a huge area all around the stadium to create enclosed fan zones, public spaces and leisure and entertainment areas.

Having said that though the towers bring a Pyongyang feel to the Manchester skyline.

[GreenPJ]

Not a fan of the nets or tower things. Maybe i'd prefer it in person, but not a fan from the images.

Wonder what the majority of fans think - its different. :greengrin

If you are a normal fan it may look great and encourage more people and investment but its also going to come with an increase in ticket price. They are already pricing 'normal' folk from getting a season ticket (especially if including family). Its just moving football further away from its roots.

[HH81]

United hater doesn't like united stadiums present and future... and in other news blood is red 🤣

I never said the new one is bad but why does it look like its been caught in a fishing net 😅

[TrinityHFC]

The fact this is heavily reliant on the government carrying out the wider regeneration of the whole area probably means this will get kicked down the road and then never happen.

[Iain G]

It looks cheap and awful, clearly Fosters put their student architects onto designing this, oooh it's a trident and will have towers you can see from a millions miles away, great, will tickets be reasonably priced and the pies be affordable? Nope.

[Chorley Hibee]

Government helping fund this, yet, in the same week, the same Government announce savage cuts to the Welfare budget.

Sick.

[monarch]

The 'nets' do look like a big circus tent but they not only cover the seats, they then continue beyond the stadium to cover a huge area all around the stadium to create enclosed fan zones, public spaces and leisure and entertainment areas.

Having said that though the towers bring a Pyongyang feel to the Manchester skyline.

It’s also to have a plaza twice the size of Trafalgar Square.

Does that mean it’ll be bigger than the world famous one just off McLeod Street. Surely two billion’s not enough to cover that.

[Billy Whizz]

It’s also to have a plaza twice the size of Trafalgar Square.

Does that mean it’ll be bigger than the world famous one just off McLeod Street. Surely two billion’s not enough to cover that.

They’ll be applying for the regeneration of Gorgie next

[TrinityHFC]

Government helping fund this, yet, in the same week, the same Government announce savage cuts to the Welfare budget.

Sick.

They aren’t funding the stadium. They are supposed to be assisting with the regeneration of an area that needs it and should provide benefits for the local community. If it ever happens.

[Pagan Hibernia]

It’s also to have a plaza twice the size of Trafalgar Square.

Does that mean it’ll be bigger than the world famous one just off McLeod Street. Surely two billion’s not enough to cover that.

Can you see Edinburgh Castle from Old Trafford though? Don't think so.

[He's here!]

I never said the new one is bad but why does it look like its been caught in a fishing net 😅

If you watch the promo video the netting is designed to harvest solar energy and rainwater.

[overdrive]

Can you see Edinburgh Castle from Old Trafford though? Don't think so.

Being able to see Tynecastle High School is the more apt comparison, surely :wink::greengrin

[Aldo]

Government helping fund this, yet, in the same week, the same Government announce savage cuts to the Welfare budget.

Sick.

Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor confirmed a while back that under no circumstances will public monies be used to fund the stadium.

[Smartie]

They aren’t funding the stadium. They are supposed to be assisting with the regeneration of an area that needs it and should provide benefits for the local community. If it ever happens.

At a time when belts are being tightened all over the shop, I’d be amazed if this got the go ahead using public money.

I watched a bit of it on Sky News earlier - a succession of Spivs spouting nonsense about this wonderful, great, money generating tent they’re going to build.

Nah. Don’t see it.

[Ozyhibby]

At a time when belts are being tightened all over the shop, I’d be amazed if this got the go ahead using public money.

I watched a bit of it on Sky News earlier - a succession of Spivs spouting nonsense about this wonderful, great, money generating tent they’re going to build.

Nah. Don’t see it.

Is public money being used?

It’s a fantastic looking development and once it’s built will give Man U income generating potential miles ahead of the rest of Europe except maybe Madrid and Barca.


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[monarch]

Is public money being used?

It’s a fantastic looking development and once it’s built will give Man U income generating potential miles ahead of the rest of Europe except maybe Madrid and Barca.


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Aye, and they’ll still run at a loss

[Liberal Hibby]

Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor confirmed a while back that under no circumstances will public monies be used to fund the stadium.

Hmmmm. But the surrounding area? Transport infrastructure? Fast track planning? etc Rachael Reeves has already said it has government support - while at the same time refusing to intervene (with Man U's owners) in Grangemouth or revive HS2 or reinstate the super computer project at Edinburgh Univ.

We'll see.

[Ozyhibby]

Hmmmm. But the surrounding area? Transport infrastructure? Fast track planning? etc Rachael Reeves has already said it has government support - while at the same time refusing to intervene (with Man U's owners) in Grangemouth or revive HS2 or reinstate the super computer project at Edinburgh Univ.

We'll see.

To be fair to Labour, fast track planning is their policy although they haven’t done anything about it yet.


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[Bristolhibby]

Why does it look like it has a big net around it 😅.

To be fair having been to the one they are at several times, they do need a new ground.

Makes a massive plaza type indoor feel while being outdoors.

Cabot’s Circus in Bristol is a small comparison.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SidioWUNmezYgzpa6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.cop y

J

[overdrive]

Makes a massive plaza type indoor feel while being outdoors.

Cabot’s Circus in Bristol is a small comparison.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SidioWUNmezYgzpa6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.cop y

J

That kind of looks like what the St James Quarter is like in Edinburgh

[Kato]

Going against the grain, I think it looks naff. Looks like a circus big tent or the tent at Ingliston for the Summer Sessions, etc.Apt.

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[JohnM1875]

Going against the grain, I think it looks naff. Looks like a circus big tent or the tent at Ingliston for the Summer Sessions, etc.

It looks awful.

Don’t doubt the actual stadium and facilities will be top class, but it looks ridiculous.

[gbhibby]

Is there going to he any money from central government going into the whole project as there will be a lot of people against any tax payers money being used.

[Since90+2]

Think it's looks class to be honest, and I say that as someone who has no affinity to Man Utd at all.

100,000 seater will be mad too.

[Since90+2]

Is there going to he any money from central government going into the whole project as there will be a lot of people against any tax payers money being used.

I wouldn't imagine on the stadium itself, but possibly as part of the wider generation of the area with things like train/tram stops ect and other infrastructure projects to improve the area.

[gbhibby]

I wouldn't imagine on the stadium itself, but possibly as part of the wider generation of the area with things like train/tram stops ect and other infrastructure projects to improve the area.
Just that the Labour government are saying there is no money so not a penny should go into Man Utds coffers.

[CropleyWasGod]

Just that the Labour government are saying there is no money so not a penny should go into Man Utds coffers.

Hmmm... they're talking about reducing benefits to the disabled. The savings in that can be recycled to a disabled fitba club.

[gbhibby]

Hmmm... they're talking about reducing benefits to the disabled. The savings in that can be recycled to a disabled fitba club.

The WASPI women will not be happy either. This should be funded by private investment not the state. They might get away with improving transport under Capital expenditure but anything else done by the private sector.

[CropleyWasGod]

The WASPI women will not be happy either. This should be funded by private investment not the state. They might get away with improving transport under Capital expenditure but anything else done by the private sector.

I was kinda joking :greengrin

But, yeah, I heard Ratcliffe saying than United are in the top 3 earning clubs in the world, so it would be a stretch to ask for public help in that light.

[HarpOnHibee]

Don't like it, looks like a circus tent. Perhaps very fitting for the clown show on the pitch.

[overdrive]

I was kinda joking :greengrin

But, yeah, I heard Ratcliffe saying than United are in the top 3 earning clubs in the world, so it would be a stretch to ask for public help in that light.

Wonder what petty cost savings he will try to make with this build. I see he's making the players go by public transport to some away games as well as washing their own kit:greengrin

No locks on the toilet cubicles? Coin operated hand dryers? Instead of pie stands, sell microwaveable food that you microwave yourself at coin operated microwave bank? Green painted blaes pitch instead of grass?

[SHODAN]

When are we being given our free tickets? As I assume we'll be paying for this.

[HarpOnHibee]

When are we being given our free tickets? As I assume we'll be paying for this.

And can they be exchanged at the local foodbank for several days of sustenance?

[Ronniekirk]

The fact this is heavily reliant on the government carrying out the wider regeneration of the whole area probably means this will get kicked down the road and then never happen.

There are a significant number of houses to be built as part of the regeneration so I can see this being a Labour Flagshio project attracting lots of private investment as well as goverment funding
But a five year timeframe may. E over ambitious and then price goes up
They seem to have right people on board at outset
But ticket prices already going up and like someone else said your average local fan could be priced out
Althogh a hundred thousand seats may allow some more reasonably priced seats for locals

[gbhibby]

There are a significant number of houses to be built as part of the regeneration so I can see this being a Labour Flagshio project attracting lots of private investment as well as goverment funding
But a five year timeframe may. E over ambitious and then price goes up
They seem to have right people on board at outset
But ticket prices already going up and like someone else said your average local fan could be priced out
Althogh a hundred thousand seats may allow some more reasonably priced seats for locals

They will need to build another lane on the motorway from London to accommodate the extra traffic.😁

[Gatecrasher]

Going against the grain, I think it looks naff. Looks like a circus big tent or the tent at Ingliston for the Summer Sessions, etc.

It looks ridiculous :agree:

[cameronw-hfc]

Cuts for non playing staff bonus at Christmas, cutting long standing staff members because they're skint yet can afford this?

[Dashing Bob S]

Going against the grain, I think it looks naff. Looks like a circus big tent or the tent at Ingliston for the Summer Sessions, etc.

It's not a football stadium, it's an entertainment emporium, designed to fleece the planeloads of tourists and Surrey visitors. FC United of Manchester and Salford City should be anticipating a nice windfall from this.

Also, crucially, it's not in London. Arsenal's 60,000 matchdays earn more revenue than United's 75,000.

The world's biggest library.

[Callum_62]

Cuts for non playing staff bonus at Christmas, cutting long standing staff members because they're skint yet can afford this?Bust by Christmas without the cuts apparently

[emoji848]

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[Keith_M]

Two billion for a football stadium?

The world's gone mad.

[Ozyhibby]

It's not a football stadium, it's an entertainment emporium, designed to fleece the planeloads of tourists and Surrey visitors. FC United of Manchester and Salford City should be anticipating a nice windfall from this.

Also, crucially, it's not in London. Arsenal's 60,000 matchdays earn more revenue than United's 75,000.

The world's biggest library.

Arsenal have a modern stadium with appropriate facilities. That’s the whole point of the new stadium?[emoji2369]

If you look at Everton’s projected income compared to Goodson and you can see why Clubs need to revamp their facilities. More will follow.


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[hibsbollah]

This laughable operation and excuse for a football club is a billion pounds in debt. The fact that they are proposing building a new stadium for 2 billion just after sacking staff left right and centre, with a glossy media launch channeling the working man :faf: and all this is apparently being taken seriously by the worlds media is absolutely bizarre to me and is possibly just a metaphor for late stage capitalisms collapse.

Not a fan.

[He's here!]

Arsenal have a modern stadium with appropriate facilities. That’s the whole point of the new stadium?[emoji2369]

If you look at Everton’s projected income compared to Goodson and you can see why Clubs need to revamp their facilities. More will follow.


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Spurs' commercial income has tripled since they moved to their new stadium. It's the way ahead for the big clubs whether fans like it or not. I'm staggered by the price of matchday tickets in the Premier League but there seem to be plenty people able to buy them.

[HarpOnHibee]

Spurs' commercial income has tripled since they moved to their new stadium. It's the way ahead for the big clubs whether fans like it or not. I'm staggered by the price of matchday tickets in the Premier League but there seem to be plenty people able to buy them.

Depends who you regard as "people". Certainly not the average working class person who is watching their living standards crumble around them.

[Ozyhibby]

Spurs' commercial income has tripled since they moved to their new stadium. It's the way ahead for the big clubs whether fans like it or not. I'm staggered by the price of matchday tickets in the Premier League but there seem to be plenty people able to buy them.

And to be fair to all three they have stayed in their city centre or original location rather than an out of town shed.


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[Irish_Steve]

There was a sport architect on Radio 5 earlier, he said he would be highly surprised if the finished stadium looks anything like what is being shown. He said half the point of these video presentations is to get people talking about Man U - you won't find me falling into that trap......oh, bugger

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Going against the grain, I think it looks naff. Looks like a circus big tent or the tent at Ingliston for the Summer Sessions, etc.

Finally - a rival to Edinburghs “turd”

[norhfc]

Bit annoying if this is even partially funded by the government. Heard they are calling it the Wembley of the north. Still, we have Hampden 😡

[Hibs Go Bragh]

Any new stadium which has the obligatory “middle tiers” which are entirely corporate and separate the real fans in the top and bottom tiers are automatically rubbish imo. Wembley and the Emirates are the worst for this.

[Alfred E Newman]

Very ambitious but will it generate an atmosphere that matches Tynecastle under the lights?
I doubt it.

[Eyrie]

Very ambitious but will it generate an atmosphere that matches Tynecastle under the lights?
I doubt it.

It will when it's empty and all the lights are switched off.

[Liberal Hibby]

They will need to build another lane on the motorway from London to accommodate the extra traffic.😁

They could of course complete HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester instead.

[Bridge hibs]

Finally - a rival to Edinburghs “turd”Nah, it looks nothing like tynecastle

[He's here!]

Depends who you regard as "people". Certainly not the average working class person who is watching their living standards crumble around them.

Well I certainly couldn't afford tickets. I'm just pointing out that there are clearly still many fans with the ability to fork out for a seat in the new super stadiums, which gives the big clubs the confidence to push on with these sort of plans.

[TrinityHFC]

Cuts for non playing staff bonus at Christmas, cutting long standing staff members because they're skint yet can afford this?

Apparently they had a consultant on body language being paid £175k a year.

Think the cuts are justified.

Yes getting investment to fund something that makes you more ch more money can be ‘affordable’ at the same time.

[monarch]

Any new stadium which has the obligatory “middle tiers” which are entirely corporate and separate the real fans in the top and bottom tiers are automatically rubbish imo. Wembley and the Emirates are the worst for this.
15,500 corporate seats apparently. Starts emptying 15 minutes before half time and partially fills up again 20 minutes into second half.

That’ll fairly rack up the atmosphere.

[Hibeesforever]

I've been going to OT since I was a boy and I'm gutted they've decided against renovating it but 1.5b to renovate and 2b to completely enhance and build around the surrounding area it makes sense to go with a completely new stadium.

The glazers are as much dodgy as they are a parasite, so I wouldn't rule out public funding being used.

I would be very surprised if they got public funding for any of it...sets a precedent!

[Pagan Hibernia]

15,500 corporate seats apparently. Starts emptying 15 minutes before half time and partially fills up again 20 minutes into second half.

That’ll fairly rack up the atmosphere.

Wembley always looks ridiculous at the start of the second half

[Ozyhibby]

I would be very surprised if they got public funding for any of it...sets a precedent!

The stadium will be private but surrounding areas will have public money.


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[HarpOnHibee]

Well I certainly couldn't afford tickets. I'm just pointing out that there are clearly still many fans with the ability to fork out for a seat in the new super stadiums, which gives the big clubs the confidence to push on with these sort of plans.

Wealthy tourists are not really fans though are they? It's not like they were brought up following the club, it's history and it's culture. Attending these games is merely a gimmick to them. Meanwhile real fans are being priced out.

[He's here!]

Wealthy tourists are not really fans though are they? It's not like they were brought up following the club, it's history and it's culture. Attending these games is merely a gimmick to them. Meanwhile real fans are being priced out.

You don't have to be brought up supporting a club to be a bona fide fan of it. One of my brothers in law for example came from England to Edinburgh to study, ended up staying in Scotland and now goes to more Hibs games than I do. I'd imagine a fair number of our fans could tell similar stories.

I think it's a stretch to bracket the 60/70k who attend Spurs/Arsenal/Man U/Man City etc as wealthy tourists. Many are still 'real' fans who can either afford it or will find ways of affording it. Football, particularly when it comes to these mega clubs/brands ceased to be the preserve of the working class long ago.

[PHeffernan]

I've been going to OT since I was a boy and I'm gutted they've decided against renovating it but 1.5b to renovate and 2b to completely enhance and build around the surrounding area it makes sense to go with a completely new stadium.

The glazers are as much dodgy as they are a parasite, so I wouldn't rule out public funding being used.

There's no chance of public funding in the current economic climate.
The investment hub with the cute legacy Manchester United face will have to fund it themselves then screw the tourists and corporate hospitality for all they are worth when it's built.
The EPL realy is a filthy money harvesting corporate **** heep.

[Col2]

Going against the grain, I think it looks naff. Looks like a circus big tent or the tent at Ingliston for the Summer Sessions, etc.

I don’t think you will be in the minority with that view. It lacks any imagination as a stadium design.

Ratcliffe is a total prick, one of the clown who ran away from the UK post Brexit after voting for it and is trying to convince people it’s ok to rip the heart of the club to save a few quid. Old school Alan Sugar type who will fail miserably. I just hope he loses a lot of money and get hounded out.

[Yorkshire HFC]

I don’t think you will be in the minority with that view. It lacks any imagination as a stadium design.

Ratcliffe is a total prick, one of the clown who ran away from the UK post Brexit after voting for it and is trying to convince people it’s ok to rip the heart of the club to save a few quid. Old school Alan Sugar type who will fail miserably. I just hope he loses a lot of money and get hounded out.

He's also been fantastically successful in business, has created many jobs and this project will create many more. You don't need to like him - although I'm not sure if you know him.

What would you spend your money on if you were as wealthy as he is? Lots of people on here say they would buy Hibs and do exactly what he's doing at Man U.

[He's here!]

I don’t think you will be in the minority with that view. It lacks any imagination as a stadium design.

Ratcliffe is a total prick, one of the clown who ran away from the UK post Brexit after voting for it and is trying to convince people it’s ok to rip the heart of the club to save a few quid. Old school Alan Sugar type who will fail miserably. I just hope he loses a lot of money and get hounded out.

I've never seen a proposed stadium like it so it seems pretty imaginative to me, whether people like it or not.

It's the Glazers who did their best to rip the heart out of Manchester United. The quite extraordinary mess they left the club in is the reason Ratcliffe's having to take the drastic action he is. This is a club with the potential to consistently go toe-to-toe with the world's best and it makes sense to plan for that sort of future. He won't get hounded out because, as with the new manager, the majority of fans know it's going to take time to turn things around.

As can be seen with the likes of Newcastle and Man City, most fans don't care where the money to improve their club's fortunes comes from. They just want to win. That's all. At least Ratcliffe is a lifelong Man U fan and brings some emotional as well as financial investment with him.

[Since452]

Can't decide if is very nice or very tacky

[Bushwoof]

He's also been fantastically successful in business, has created many jobs and this project will create many more. You don't need to like him - although I'm not sure if you know him.

What would you spend your money on if you were as wealthy as he is? Lots of people on here say they would buy Hibs and do exactly what he's doing at Man U.
What, like at Grangemouth?
Anyway I think it looks naff, but a pound to a penny it'll never see the light of day looking anything like that.

[Thatdayinmay16]

I would be very surprised if they got public funding for any of it...sets a precedent!

it does, however Ratcliffe & Co have come out and mentioned it could be worth 7.3bn to the UK economy every year, and the benefits of a new stadium majorly outweigh the negatives. 92,000 new jobs, 17,000 new homes, the stadium itself may not receive funding but the project surrounding it 100% will.

The money itself for the stadium won't be an issue, it will massively grow matchday revenue and the whatever loan they take to pay for it will be paid back at a very low interest rate, like what Spurs did.

[He's here!]

What, like at Grangemouth?
Anyway I think it looks naff, but a pound to a penny it'll never see the light of day looking anything like that.

Sky high energy costs and carbon taxes are what's killing off Grangemouth - and manufacturing in general across the UK. We just can't compete.

Ratcliffe's right to say it does nothing to help the environment. It just shifts the issue elsewhere and leaves us worse off.

[jacomo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvgprplz94yo

Looks spectacular. The time-saving Meccano-style assembly using the canal to transport the pieces is an interesting idea.

Whether it all comes together quite so seamlessly obviously remains to be seen.


I think it's absolutely laughable.

1. It looks like a big top circus tent.
2. The 'umbrella' roof is claimed to harvest rainwater and solar energy, but no details forthcoming about what it will be made of, or how it will do this. Or how it will be maintained (important, given the absolute state of the Old Trafford roof)
3. They claim this roof will cover 'arguably the biggest public square in the world'... if that concourse is part of the stadium, will it genuinely be public space?
4. The renders of the inside of the stadium look barely considered. There are no screens for starters. Is this even viable?
5. They claim they need no public money, but then say it can't go ahead with government being on the hook for the wider regeneration project. Oh and Ratcliffe is a tax exile based in Monaco, not Manchester... how does he think government can afford this without taxpayers?
6. Speaking of Ratcliffe, does anyone trust him to pull this off? His recent interview with Gary Neville was a car crash of evasion and lack of grip over the detail.

The Glazers have rinsed that club for profit. Ratcliffe is a cost-cutter with a reputation for doing similar at other companies.

This 'proposal' is, imo, a shiny Norman Foster joke to distract from rapacious billionaires who neither understand nor care about what football means.

[jacomo]

He's also been fantastically successful in business, has created many jobs and this project will create many more. You don't need to like him - although I'm not sure if you know him.

What would you spend your money on if you were as wealthy as he is? Lots of people on here say they would buy Hibs and do exactly what he's doing at Man U.


We can all see he's made an absolute hash of his first year in charge.

The Gary Neville interview is really interesting... Ratcliffe is amazingly vague about some of the really big numbers, gets tripped up by a £40k cut to their former player association, evades responsibility (despite personal accountability supposedly being a key INEOS value) and completely lets the Glazers off the hook. In his BBC interview he throws a number of people, including current players, under the bus.

He looks distracted and confused to me. Just like with his Grenadier SUV, he made a big noise about showing everyone how they were doing it wrong and how he was so much better, and has since lost £££.

If I had any stake in INEOS I'd be selling it today. I think this is heading for the rocks.

[Thatdayinmay16]

We can all see he's made an absolute hash of his first year in charge.

The Gary Neville interview is really interesting... Ratcliffe is amazingly vague about some of the really big numbers, gets tripped up by a £40k cut to their former player association, evades responsibility (despite personal accountability supposedly being a key INEOS value) and completely lets the Glazers off the hook. In his BBC interview he throws a number of people, including current players, under the bus.

He looks distracted and confused to me. Just like with his Grenadier SUV, he made a big noise about showing everyone how they were doing it wrong and how he was so much better, and has since lost £££.

If I had any stake in INEOS I'd be selling it today. I think this is heading for the rocks.

Good, the players he's threw under the bus have been performing below a subpar level expected of them at a club as big as united.

Plus what was wrong with what he said about them exactly? He mentioned he had inherited they current players and it's clear they shouldn't have been signed if the club wanted to move forward?

Players have coasted at united for too long, its about time they face the harsh realities of playing for a club that size.

[Hibbyradge]

If you are a normal fan it may look great and encourage more people and investment but its also going to come with an increase in ticket price. They are already pricing 'normal' folk from getting a season ticket (especially if including family). Its just moving football further away from its roots.

They won't need to increase ticket prices when their capacity increases by 30 thousand.

However, they wouldn't have any trouble filling the new stadium even if prices do rise significantly. There's currently a 25 year waiting list for season tickets with 120 thousand people on it!

[Hibbyradge]

Two billion for a football stadium?

The world's gone mad.

Not much more than Spurs spent and there was no regeneration of the surrounding area.

[Bishop Hibee]

A lot of nervous prawns out there given the type of fan Radcliffe is targeting.

[Baader]

Wouldn't trust Ratcliffe or anything he says

[Ozyhibby]

I think it's absolutely laughable.

1. It looks like a big top circus tent.
2. The 'umbrella' roof is claimed to harvest rainwater and solar energy, but no details forthcoming about what it will be made of, or how it will do this. Or how it will be maintained (important, given the absolute state of the Old Trafford roof)
3. They claim this roof will cover 'arguably the biggest public square in the world'... if that concourse is part of the stadium, will it genuinely be public space?
4. The renders of the inside of the stadium look barely considered. There are no screens for starters. Is this even viable?
5. They claim they need no public money, but then say it can't go ahead with government being on the hook for the wider regeneration project. Oh and Ratcliffe is a tax exile based in Monaco, not Manchester... how does he think government can afford this without taxpayers?
6. Speaking of Ratcliffe, does anyone trust him to pull this off? His recent interview with Gary Neville was a car crash of evasion and lack of grip over the detail.

The Glazers have rinsed that club for profit. Ratcliffe is a cost-cutter with a reputation for doing similar at other companies.

This 'proposal' is, imo, a shiny Norman Foster joke to distract from rapacious billionaires who neither understand nor care about what football means.

1. It does but who really cares?
2. I’m sure there will be architectural professionals involved who know what they are doing? It’s not like it’s a world first. Plenty bigger building out there.
3. It’s outside the stadium and will have restaurants, retail etc that will be open 7 days a week. It will be a very public space.
4. They are just early renders and I’d put money on there bing plenty screens inside.
5. Public money for regenerating the area has been on the table for a long time and is exactly the sort of thing that will provide a positive return on investment for the tax payer. It is leveraging in lots of private investment.
6. Don’t know him but I’m sure he is a twat. Haven’t seen anything to suggest he is incapable of raising the funds though?

I’m no Man U fan but this, like Everton and Spurs is a very good plan for the future of that club. Their match day income will go through the roof when it’s up and running.

Look at the jump in Hibs match day income with a small investment in hospitality? Football doesn’t just want you showing up to watch the game anymore. They want you to eat and drink there as well. Maybe do a bit of shopping in club shop etc. The longer you are there the more of your money they can part from you.
The outside entertainment areas of that design if it happens look perfect for that.


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[worcesterhibby]

It’s a slick video, however Radcliffe has been thoroughly incompetent in his hiring and firing so far and has easily wasted as much money as he has saved by sacking the majority of staff.

His BBC interview is hilariously bad.. the worst bit being when asked how he sees the future of Man Utd in the next 5 years and his reply is that it will be the most profitable football club in the world. Not the most successful, not the most thrilling to watch, not the club with the happiest fans or the best community heart… just the most profitable. He also said he wanted to pay the staff at the club less so he could pay the players more. The man’s an absolute welt and has no idea how to handle the comms side of things.

i would suggest that football fans in the Greater Manchester area would be far better off going down Gigg Lane on a Saturday and supporting community club.. Bury FC

[NAE NOOKIE]

Going against the grain, I think it looks naff. Looks like a circus big tent or the tent at Ingliston for the Summer Sessions, etc.

Exactly what I thought when I saw the CGI ..... looks bloody daft.

That aside, WTF are the UK government doing even entertaining handing Man Utd an alleged 500 million quid of public money when they are in the process of cutting benefits, overseas aid and f knows all what else?

I mean, if that's an actual thing then the SFA should be straight on the phone asking for 500 million to tart up Hampden Park ..... Of course the SFA weren't big supporters of Keir Starmer like Man Utd co owner Jim Ratcliffe during the 2024 election so getting money out of them might be more of a struggle than it seems to be for Ratcliffe.

If you want to know how this pish and political connections work check out the redevelopment of the London stadium to make it fit for West Ham ..... rampant cronyism and political favours called in by the West Ham owners from their Tory government mates to screw millions from the public purse.

[Pagan Hibernia]

It’s a slick video, however Radcliffe has been thoroughly incompetent in his hiring and firing so far and has easily wasted as much money as he has saved by sacking the majority of staff.

His BBC interview is hilariously bad.. the worst bit being when asked how he sees the future of Man Utd in the next 5 years and his reply is that it will be the most profitable football club in the world. Not the most successful, not the most thrilling to watch, not the club with the happiest fans or the best community heart… just the most profitable. He also said he wanted to pay the staff at the club less so he could pay the players more. The man’s an absolute welt and has no idea how to handle the comms side of things.

i would suggest that football fans in the Greater Manchester area would be far better off going down Gigg Lane on a Saturday and supporting community club.. Bury FC

They have a ready made replacement at FC United 7 miles northeast in Moston.

[Baader]

It’s a slick video, however Radcliffe has been thoroughly incompetent in his hiring and firing so far and has easily wasted as much money as he has saved by sacking the majority of staff.

His BBC interview is hilariously bad.. the worst bit being when asked how he sees the future of Man Utd in the next 5 years and his reply is that it will be the most profitable football club in the world. Not the most successful, not the most thrilling to watch, not the club with the happiest fans or the best community heart… just the most profitable. He also said he wanted to pay the staff at the club less so he could pay the players more. The man’s an absolute welt and has no idea how to handle the comms side of things.

i would suggest that football fans in the Greater Manchester area would be far better off going down Gigg Lane on a Saturday and supporting community club.. Bury FC

Fans don't want their clubs being 'the most profitable.' Most successful yes. Shows the mindset of someone like Ratcliffe, completely out of touch.

Heard on the radio that the most profitable club in world football is Real Madrid. Turnover of over €1 billion per season. Profit just €16M.

[PHeffernan]

They have a ready made replacement at FC United 7 miles northeast in Moston.

where they can watch Adam Le Fondre knocking in the goals.

[DIXIHIBS]

It's like a football Disney. It's not for local fans who turn up at KO time to watch their team. This is aimed at tourist/corporate fans who will spend the weekend here, staying in the hotels, eating in the restaurants etc. Utd are still one of the biggest names in global football and no doubt this 'stadium' will tap into that. It's everything I dislike about the modern game but no doubt it will be a huge financial success.

[Ozyhibby]

It's like a football Disney. It's not for local fans who turn up at KO time to watch their team. This is aimed at tourist/corporate fans who will spend the weekend here, staying in the hotels, eating in the restaurants etc. Utd are still one of the biggest names in global football and no doubt this 'stadium' will tap into that. It's everything I dislike about the modern game but no doubt it will be a huge financial success.

Given that they are adding 30,000 extra seats I imagine all the current fans will still be going. They will be looking to take more money out their pockets though.
I was at the spurs stadium a couple of years back and it is so easy to get served a beer or food. There are bars and food stands close to every seat in the stadium so you don’t have to miss much to spend a few quid.


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[Bridge hibs]

I see Foley has confirmed Bournemouth will stay at the Vitality with plans to increase the capacity in 3 stages to 16000, 20000 and finally to 24000 with a dose of hospitality suites too

[Hibbyradge]

It's like a football Disney. It's not for local fans who turn up at KO time to watch their team. This is aimed at tourist/corporate fans who will spend the weekend here, staying in the hotels, eating in the restaurants etc. Utd are still one of the biggest names in global football and no doubt this 'stadium' will tap into that. It's everything I dislike about the modern game but no doubt it will be a huge financial success.

There are 120 thousand people on the season ticket waiting list. They're not tourists.

[JeMeSouviens]

There are 120 thousand people on the season ticket waiting list. They're not tourists.

They're not. But Man U cap ST numbers at around 50 thousand I believe so they can accomodate 20 thousand+ bigger spending tourists per game.

[Hibbyradge]

They're not. But Man U cap ST numbers at around 50 thousand I believe so they can accomodate 20 thousand+ bigger spending tourists per game.

They'd be daft not to.

[Yorkshire HFC]

It's like a football Disney. It's not for local fans who turn up at KO time to watch their team. This is aimed at tourist/corporate fans who will spend the weekend here, staying in the hotels, eating in the restaurants etc. Utd are still one of the biggest names in global football and no doubt this 'stadium' will tap into that. It's everything I dislike about the modern game but no doubt it will be a huge financial success.

If you're +50 years old then current day football bears little resemblance to what you grew up watching at the top levels - that's progress I guess. I don't understand why they need to spend £2bn on a new stadium plus all the other costs and facilities that will be provided - but they are competing with the mega domes in the USA so presumably feel that they need to provide a similar experience.

[gbhibby]

Don't care what they do as long as not one penny of my tax money goes in their direction.

[NAE NOOKIE]

Don't care what they do as long as not one penny of my tax money goes in their direction.

Good luck with that mate. As I said further back in this thread, check out the multiple millions of public money that went into redeveloping the London stadium simply to make it fit for EPL football ... extending the roof etc. It was a carve up between the owners of West Ham and the Tory government they supported, not least Karen Brady who got a peerage on the back of her support. The actual club even made donations to the Tory party in the name of West Ham United ...... can you imagine the reaction from Hibs fans if our club donated club money to any political party, never mind the Tory party.

Ratcliffe threw his support behind the Labour party prior to the 2024 GE and now he will be rewarded by millions in public money going into this project. It will be part of a massive regeneration of that part of Manchester, but a huge chunk of that will be to partly finance the new stadium .... allegedly £500,000,000 ........ Imagine what you could do to Hampden with that sort of money.

I do not believe that public money should be going to private businesses like this, but if it is going to be a thing, as it appears to be whether we like it or not, why the **** is our national stadium languishing in the doldrums while a single football club in England is given hundreds of millions of public money and not for the first time, while Scotland does not even have a decent national stadium.

[Ozyhibby]

Good luck with that mate. As I said further back in this thread, check out the multiple millions of public money that went into redeveloping the London stadium simply to make it fit for EPL football ... extending the roof etc. It was a carve up between the owners of West Ham and the Tory government they supported, not least Karen Brady who got a peerage on the back of her support. The actual club even made donations to the Tory party in the name of West Ham United ...... can you imagine the reaction from Hibs fans if our club donated club money to any political party, never mind the Tory party.

Ratcliffe threw his support behind the Labour party prior to the 2024 GE and now he will be rewarded by millions in public money going into this project. It will be part of a massive regeneration of that part of Manchester, but a huge chunk of that will be to partly finance the new stadium .... allegedly £500,000,000 ........ Imagine what you could do to Hampden with that sort of money.

I do not believe that public money should be going to private businesses like this, but if it is going to be a thing, as it appears to be whether we like it or not, why the **** is our national stadium languishing in the doldrums while a single football club in England is given hundreds of millions of public money and not for the first time, while Scotland does not even have a decent national stadium.

Any public money spent here would have Barnett consequentials.


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[overdrive]

They're not. But Man U cap ST numbers at around 50 thousand I believe so they can accomodate 20 thousand+ bigger spending tourists per game.

I'm sure someone on here mentioned relatively recently that they were speaking to someone involved in the kit out of the new Everton stadium and said the brief with these clubs is to do what they can to replace traditional fans with rich fans and tourists.

[jacomo]

Not much more than Spurs spent and there was no regeneration of the surrounding area.


Spurs spent around £1 billion on their stadium.

This cost was inflated by a very complicated build process (the new stadium sits partially on the site of the old one) and big mistakes (such as needing to rewire much of it) but is still, you'll notice, half the projected cost for this New Trafford 'vision'.

I don't think the wider regeneration costs are included either.

[jacomo]

Good luck with that mate. As I said further back in this thread, check out the multiple millions of public money that went into redeveloping the London stadium simply to make it fit for EPL football ... extending the roof etc. It was a carve up between the owners of West Ham and the Tory government they supported, not least Karen Brady who got a peerage on the back of her support. The actual club even made donations to the Tory party in the name of West Ham United ...... can you imagine the reaction from Hibs fans if our club donated club money to any political party, never mind the Tory party.

Ratcliffe threw his support behind the Labour party prior to the 2024 GE and now he will be rewarded by millions in public money going into this project. It will be part of a massive regeneration of that part of Manchester, but a huge chunk of that will be to partly finance the new stadium .... allegedly £500,000,000 ........ Imagine what you could do to Hampden with that sort of money.

I do not believe that public money should be going to private businesses like this, but if it is going to be a thing, as it appears to be whether we like it or not, why the **** is our national stadium languishing in the doldrums while a single football club in England is given hundreds of millions of public money and not for the first time, while Scotland does not even have a decent national stadium.


Public money absolutely should not go to tax dodgers who move to Monaco to avoid paying their dues and then claim that their home is in Manchester.

[Ozyhibby]

Spurs spent around £1 billion on their stadium.

This cost was inflated by a very complicated build process (the new stadium sits partially on the site of the old one) and big mistakes (such as needing to rewire much of it) but is still, you'll notice, half the projected cost for this New Trafford 'vision'.

I don't think the wider regeneration costs are included either.

To be fair it’s almost double the size as well.


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[Ozyhibby]

Public money absolutely should not go to tax dodgers who move to Monaco to avoid paying their dues and then claim that their home is in Manchester.

No public money is going to the stadium.


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[Thatdayinmay16]

Public money absolutely should not go to tax dodgers who move to Monaco to avoid paying their dues and then claim that their home is in Manchester.

Public money won't be used on the stadium, public money will be used on the regeneration of the surrounding area, that's my understanding on it anyway.

[jacomo]

No public money is going to the stadium.


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You're being very generous with your assessment here.

Just you watch the lines get blurred.

This new stadium is 100% dependent on public funding to make it viable - services, transport, etc and so on.

[evy]

Good luck with that mate. As I said further back in this thread, check out the multiple millions of public money that went into redeveloping the London stadium simply to make it fit for EPL football ... extending the roof etc. It was a carve up between the owners of West Ham and the Tory government they supported, not least Karen Brady who got a peerage on the back of her support. The actual club even made donations to the Tory party in the name of West Ham United ...... can you imagine the reaction from Hibs fans if our club donated club money to any political party, never mind the Tory party.

Ratcliffe threw his support behind the Labour party prior to the 2024 GE and now he will be rewarded by millions in public money going into this project. It will be part of a massive regeneration of that part of Manchester, but a huge chunk of that will be to partly finance the new stadium .... allegedly £500,000,000 ........ Imagine what you could do to Hampden with that sort of money.

I do not believe that public money should be going to private businesses like this, but if it is going to be a thing, as it appears to be whether we like it or not, why the **** is our national stadium languishing in the doldrums while a single football club in England is given hundreds of millions of public money and not for the first time, while Scotland does not even have a decent national stadium.

There is literally no evidence of that being the case.

[Smartie]

That Ratcliffe guy is pretty easy to dislike though, isn’t he?

He’s not really cropped up on my radar before.

[Ozyhibby]

You're being very generous with your assessment here.

Just you watch the lines get blurred.

This new stadium is 100% dependent on public funding to make it viable - services, transport, etc and so on.

I would say it’s in the publics interest for the govt to regenerate an area when the private sector are already investing £2bn in that area? That looks like a win win for everyone?


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[JeMeSouviens]

I would say it’s in the publics interest for the govt to regenerate an area when the private sector are already investing £2bn in that area? That looks like a win win for everyone?


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Except Man U's competitors?

[Thatdayinmay16]

I'm 99% sure taxpayer money currently funds the London Stadium, no massive outrage at that?

[Yorkshire HFC]

I would say it’s in the publics interest for the govt to regenerate an area when the private sector are already investing £2bn in that area? That looks like a win win for everyone?


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Yes - the project will provide lots of well paid jobs. I'm sure a lot of the infrastructure will be paid for by the government, but that's life - and is probably a good way to spend tax monies.

[He's here!]

I'm sure someone on here mentioned relatively recently that they were speaking to someone involved in the kit out of the new Everton stadium and said the brief with these clubs is to do what they can to replace traditional fans with rich fans and tourists.

Is a trip to watch Everton high on the list of wealthy tourists? Even if their new stadium (which looks amazing) carries more pulling power it's hard to imagine tourists flocking there every other week. In fact the whole 'real fans have been replaced by wealthy tourists' claim seems bizarre. The top seven or eight clubs will have a combined capacity of what, circa half a million, when the latest stadiums are built? Are we really expecting hundreds of thousands of tourists to fill them all season?

What's a 'traditional' fan these days anyway?

[Pagan Hibernia]

Except Man U's competitors?

That's the crucial thing isn't it.

Whether it's a good use of money really isn't the point in a sporting context. It's an advantage to Manchester United that most of their rivals haven't been given.

[Ozyhibby]

That's the crucial thing isn't it.

Whether it's a good use of money really isn't the point in a sporting context. It's an advantage to Manchester United that most of their rivals haven't been given.

But they can access it if they build new stadiums and bring private investment to their area.
Everton accessed £millions to fund infrastructure around their new stadium. Spurs did the exact same.
If Stoke want to spend £billion on a new stadium then there will be public money for the surrounding area for them as well.
The important thing is the level of private finance and Man U are promising that.


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[Haymaker]

I'm 99% sure taxpayer money currently funds the London Stadium, no massive outrage at that?

You are correct, West Ham pay a (relatively) small fee per year. This is mostly due to it having to be a "community" stadium post Olympic games to secure the tax payer funding to hold it in the first place.

[Hibbyradge]

Spurs spent around £1 billion on their stadium.

This cost was inflated by a very complicated build process (the new stadium sits partially on the site of the old one) and big mistakes (such as needing to rewire much of it) but is still, you'll notice, half the projected cost for this New Trafford 'vision'.

I don't think the wider regeneration costs are included either.

When I was there, the guide said that the official figure was £1.25bn but that it was actually closer to £2bn. :dunno:

[Smartie]

Do City own the Etihad?

I remember that being the Commonwealth Games stadium and it was called the "City of Manchester Stadium" for a while.

[Ozyhibby]

Do City own the Etihad?

I remember that being the Commonwealth Games stadium and it was called the "City of Manchester Stadium" for a while.

No idea but the world seems to be catching on to the fact that hosting these big events usually just leaves you with a load of venues you have no use for and a huge bill to pay for them. Seems to be only the gulf states these days who want to host and pay the bribes.


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[CropleyWasGod]

Do City own the Etihad?

I remember that being the Commonwealth Games stadium and it was called the "City of Manchester Stadium" for a while.

No. It's owned by Manchester City Council and leased to the club under a 250-year agreement.

Looks like they pay £3.5m per annum.

[Thatdayinmay16]

No. It's owned by Manchester City Council and leased to the club under a 250-year agreement.

Looks like they pay £3.5m per annum.

250 years of nothing but empty seats, what a shame.

[Haymaker]

No idea but the world seems to be catching on to the fact that hosting these big events usually just leaves you with a load of venues you have no use for and a huge bill to pay for them. Seems to be only the gulf states these days who want to host and pay the bribes.


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Had a conversation with someone about this the other week that it'll soon only be the Gulf States and recent hosts who will have things like the Olympics because no one will have the political will or capital to invest in the infrastructure. For example no one wants the commonwealth games so it's likely to just end up rotating from the UK and Oz.

London venues can apparently return to tournament level quickly if an Olympics needs hosting.

[evy]

Had a conversation with someone about this the other week that it'll soon only be the Gulf States and recent hosts who will have things like the Olympics because no one will have the political will or capital to invest in the infrastructure. For example no one wants the commonwealth games so it's likely to just end up rotating from the UK and Oz.

London venues can apparently return to tournament level quickly if an Olympics needs hosting.

Much like Glasgow and next year's Commonwealth Games.

[jakedance]

I think it looks cool. It makes sense for a club the size of Man Utd to have ambitions to build the best stadium in the world. I’m a nerd for this kind of thing and would definitely want to see a game there.

[Iain G]

Spurs spent around £1 billion on their stadium.

This cost was inflated by a very complicated build process (the new stadium sits partially on the site of the old one) and big mistakes (such as needing to rewire much of it) but is still, you'll notice, half the projected cost for this New Trafford 'vision'.

I don't think the wider regeneration costs are included either.

And further inflated by Levy being a ****

[monarch]

I get the regeneration of the area, private investment (and the inevitable handout of public money) but with the rich getting richer it blows sporting integrity out the water.

[Ribs1875]

Crazy! They are going to spend more on this stadium than our club would make in the next 100 years. This is why I don't buy into sky.

[jacomo]

I'm 99% sure taxpayer money currently funds the London Stadium, no massive outrage at that?


There was and is outrage at that, but it all got swept under the carpet by the deeply corrupt previous government.

I support the principle of public money being used to draw in private investment, but my main criticism is the proposal itself and the chancer fronting it. The idea that they want to rush this through is worrying... it looks to me like a very early stage proposal, and not a very good one.

Ref: Zaha Hadid's design for the aquatics centre at the Olympic Park, which went 5 times over budget because the design for the roof hadn't been engineered at all.

[hibsbollah]

I get the regeneration of the area, private investment (and the inevitable handout of public money) but with the rich getting richer it blows sporting integrity out the water.

The regeneration benefits of a stadium to a local area are never actually as promised; https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/18/new-manchester-united-stadium-jim-ratcliffe-glazers

[Thatdayinmay16]

The regeneration benefits of a stadium to a local area are never actually as promised; https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/18/new-manchester-united-stadium-jim-ratcliffe-glazers

Another anti-united puff piece from someone who still holds a grudge after spending his childhood watching united win the lot.

[hibsbollah]

Another anti-united puff piece from someone who still holds a grudge after spending his childhood watching united win the lot.

I think youre confused, a puff piece is when you’re writing in an excessively complimentary way about something or someone.

[Thatdayinmay16]

I think youre confused, a puff piece is when you’re writing in an excessively complimentary way about something or someone.

Tomayto Tomahto

[hibsbollah]

Tomayto Tomahto

His argument stands up when you look at other examples. How many stadium developments have brought economic regeneration to the surrounding areas? The vast majority exist as a drain on the community as businesses leave the area to make way for the global finance that own the stadium and the surrounding land.