13 Jan 2023 10:22:07
Just out of interest what would fans choice be of either a re vamped OLd Trafford or a brand new super duper state of the art stadium should we have buyers who had the money to do either?

I would go for a new stadium as a re vamp would still be costly and patch and mend even if to a very high finish- obvioulsy saving and preserving as much of the old fittings as possible to incorporate them into a new statdium.

1.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 11:41:29
I'd go with a new stadium but on the same site.

A revamp is all well and good but it feels like it's just delaying the inevitable. At some point we will need a new state of the art stadium to keep pace with the other top European clubs.

2.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 11:56:49
New but has to be at the same site.

3.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 12:16:52
Maybe a job-share at the Etihad for 2 seasons while it goes underway. can see that being a popular scenario!

4.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 12:30:56
Where do we think games would be played in the interim?

5.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 13:10:43
Wembley ?.

6.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 13:11:55
Not fussed if we move location. We've all moved house from time to time.

7.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 13:48:18
In the meantime we could play at the Etihad, would be nice to see it at capacity for once ?.

8.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 15:10:27
An option could possibly to build on the land next to the stadium, could even keep the original stadium for the history and for reserve games etc if required. The problem has always been the same with the current stadium, to increase the south stand they need to build over the railway and they have never found a way possible of making it happen.

That being said, I go to the stadium every week (more than that at the moment with all the home games) and it is nowhere near as bad as some people would have you believe. I have recently been to St James Park and I would say that is in a similar state.

9.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 16:08:28
If there was a way to do a redevelopment whilst increasing capacity that would be the ideal choice.

My family support for the club is traced to Munich. My grandad watched the babes there, then the great side of 68. So much history, so many legends to have played in the stadium. I want to take him back so he can see it all again. I think it’s just hearing him talk about the memories he has, it gives me goosebumps sometimes. i'd never want to lose that.

10.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 16:17:27
I would say a new stadium, there is no way of making Old Traford up to par with the very latest facilities, and one of the biggest and most expensive sports teams in the world should have a facility on par with it's standing.

As for location then if you pulled the old stadium down and rebuilt it then I believe there is space to build there is enough space. Ot just feels right where it is and a new home should be in the same place.

I guess in the meantime you would have to consider playing at the Etihad during construction. No where else locally is anywhere near big enough.

11.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 16:37:07
It's been estimated that a new stadium could cost up to £2Bn! We're going to need new owners with very deep pockets. Even if they "only" pay £3bn for the club itself, they're gong to have to put up £5-£6bn to get the club and facilities to where the fans will be happy. What type of return are they going to get from a club whose revenues are only 10% of that?

12.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 16:52:51
The history of Old Trafford should not be lost so I would be looking at redevelopment. Maintain the soul but upgrade all aspects of it if possible. All that being said, most of the moans about the stadium suggest that it would be best to start again! If that is the case then they should look to incorporate some of the iconic elements in the new stadium.

13.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 17:53:22
Why would the history be lost if you move sites.
It's that sort of mentality that leads to stagnation imo.
History is history it doesn't change because we have a new address.

14.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 18:30:40
Ken it didn’t lead to much stagnation in the past.

Whatever they do I’ll support, but if I had a choice I’d try and redevelop only if possible.

15.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 18:56:02
The 2 bn estimate would be for the stadium, depending on what else was planned and developed on site then the costs may well be even higher.

Investing in a sports team especially at the top level is about a lot more than profit for many of these guys. Its about status, prestige, for some it's about investment, for some it's a revenue stream. Some people want to be ssociated with the biggest and best footballers, Messi and Ronaldo are quite possibly the closest thing to modern rock stars on earth. For some I expect its a way to launder money.

I am no businessman, it's not my field of expertise at all, but from what I read the prices of big sports teams are way higher than their actual economic value when looking from anoure financial investment perspective.

If you buy Man Utd your buying a brand, famous worldwide. Your buying a history and hopefully you're buying future success and being linked (again hopefully) your buying access to and association with global icons.

The best owners I think understand they are custodians of that history for a team and use their funds (either personal or via team) to continue/ build sustained success. They are sympathetic to the fans and the importance a club has to them, they connect with the fans and earn their trust.

A rich person/ organisation could be good or bad for United, depends on the individual. My hope is that however buys us, sticks Van De Sar in as CEO and tells him to find a proper DoF to work with him and Ten Hag, maybe I am being unkind to Murtagh, I am not convinced by him yet.

16.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 19:06:22
I don't think you could redevelop Old Trafford and bring it up to the standards of the best stadia in the world.

Take a look at SoFi stadium or Allegiant Stadium the two newest NFL stadiums. Your not turning OT into that with a redevelop, that's built from the ground up.

17.) 13 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 21:02:13
Interesting discussion. Whilst I agree that the very soul of Manchester United is in the bricks and mortar, the location is probably more important than the stadium itself. I have been going to OT since 1965 and it has changed so much that is is unrecognisable compared to then.

If it was possible I would rebuild on the site and try to retain an element of the old stadium as a testament to the past.

Ultimately the history is not lost, that belongs to the club not the stadium or location.

Whatever gives the club and its fans the best opportunities going forward is fine by me. And let's face it we are not all here forever so the history for the next generation begins again.

18.) 14 Jan 2023
13 Jan 2023 21:22:48
Shawthing - anyone buying the club knows they only have 2 choices update the exisiting ground or build a new one and swallow the cost- let's be honest if they haven't got the money to do so they won't be a serious contender. The type of buyer we can expect will have more money than god no matter where in the world they come from and will be fully aware of the costs before they come to the table . Also a man who knew a fair bit about making money - Ed Woodward - said many times the bums on seats don't bring the money in like it did 30-40 years ago - its advertising, sponsorship and tv money nowadays. or a sugar daddy.