Just How Urgent Is the Need for Old Trafford's Redevelopment?

Let's talk for a moment about the Glazer Family, the current owners of Manchester United (although not for long). For years, United's owners have allowed managers to spend relatively freely. They are one of the top spenders on transfers in world football, and they are renowned for paying high wages too. Thus, when United fans lead those protests against the Glazer Family, rival fans sometimes misinterpret this as somewhat overly petulant, spoilt even, given the outlay the owners have made.

However, dig deeper into some of the grievances of the fans, and you will find that many of the worries are about infrastructure, both in terms of personnel and physical infrastructure. The famed United Academy has been underfunded, as has the training ground at Carrington. There are questions about the scouting network. And, of course, the crumbling edifice that is known as the Theatre of Dreams.

Old Trafford is a fortress again

Old Trafford is a fantastic stadium, full of good memories for United fans and some terrible ones for visiting fans, at least most of the time. Under Erik Ten Hag, it has become a fortress again, with 27 home wins recorded in the 2022/23 season, equalling a record set by Sir Alex Ferguson. United's dominance at home is usually reflected in the pre-match Premier League betting odds, or in the Champions League/Europa League and other competitions. The Old Trafford factor counts for a lot.

But how badly does it need renovations? Or as some have suggested, could it be demolished and replaced with a new stadium? Old Trafford is not unique in English football as an old stadium that could do with a lick of paint. Parts of the stadium look great, too. But there is perhaps a sense that it is, for want of a better word, tired. It might feel okay in comparison to Selhurst Park or Goodison Park, but when compared to the likes of the Emirates or the Etihad, it feels like a well-worn antique. A leaky roof, drab gantries, soulless concrete walls as you tackle the endless stairs to the stands, and several other things could do with renovation.

The South Stand could be redeveloped

The Glazer Family has spoken of much-needed renovations for several years now, including an upgraded South Stand, which would bring the capacity up to 88,000. At a capacity of 74,310, Old Trafford is already the second biggest stadium by capacity in the UK (only Wembley is bigger), but an extra tier on the South Stand would bring it closer to Wembley and among the very biggest in Europe. The Glazers, of course, are trying to finalise a deal to sell the club right now, so it's understandable that they are not rushing to spend the few hundred million quid that it would cost to redevelop the South Stand.

However, that's just the South Stand, and a lot more will be needed to bring Old Trafford up to the elite level (in terms of fan experience). The two main bidders for the club, INEOS and Qatar's Sheikh Jassim, have both promised that money is available to rebuild Old Trafford or build a new stadium from scratch. While things could change, the former is more likely to happen. Regardless, it is going to cost a lot to bring one of the world's most iconic sporting venues into the 21st century. Moreover, it will take a lot of time before Manchester United fans can start bragging about having one of the world's best football stadiums.