Manchester United have announced a strategic partnership with local authorities to assess the potential for regenerating Old Trafford, making it Europe’s leading regeneration project.
Launched in March, the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, chaired by World Athletics president Lord Coe and including former United full-back Gary Neville, is expected to focus on constructing a new 100,000-capacity stadium rather than redeveloping the current site. However, a definitive decision on the preferred route is not expected until later in the year. Sources linked with the task force have suggested that the ambitions for the project extend beyond building a new stadium, aiming to become the most ambitious regeneration project in Europe.
On Monday, it was announced that Manchester United would be part of the advisory group exploring the potential impact of a new or renovated stadium on broader social and financial revitalisation. Key players in this partnership include Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. An independent director will lead the team, which is set to collaborate with both the task force and the ongoing Trafford Wharfside redevelopment initiative.
Lord Coe emphasised the project’s scope, stating, “The objective of this once-in-a-generation project is not only the development of a world-class stadium for the north of England but also to ensure that this brings broad social and economic benefits to the local area and surrounding region.” He highlighted the opportunity to connect the Trafford Wharfside regeneration with the growth of neighbouring Media City in Salford and Greater Manchester’s Western Gateway and Central Growth Cluster plans, thereby creating a project of national significance. “The tripartite advisory team will help fully unlock this incredibly exciting potential,” Coe added.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, affirmed, “Greater Manchester has a strong claim to be the biggest footballing city-region on the planet. Few places come close to matching our heritage and the global impact of our clubs and our culture. The future of Old Trafford is the next chapter of that story, and we have a chance now to make sure it’s written properly.”
Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, Coun Liz Patel, stated, “We have ambitious regeneration plans for the Trafford Wharfside area. Our plan is for up to 5,000 new homes in the area, new opportunities for retail space, and better connections between Trafford Wharfside, Salford, and Manchester city centre. Trafford is proud to be the home of Manchester United; we already attract thousands of visitors every year. This transformational change will make it the perfect visitor destination for new businesses to invest in. We want Trafford Wharfside to be nationally recognised as a dynamic and attractive place for residents and businesses, so I look forward to working closely with our partners and local residents to realise our shared goal of transforming the area for everyone.”
Addressing the financial scope of the project, United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe indicated in February that the project centred around a new stadium is projected to cost around £2 billion. Ratcliffe, envisioning a stadium that could rival Wembley in the north, has previously suggested that taxpayer funding could be justified, noting, “Where do you have to go if you get to the semi-final of the FA Cup and you’re a northern club? You have to schlep down to London, don’t you? People in the north pay their taxes, and there is an argument that you could think about a more ambitious project in the north which would be fitting for England, for the Champions League final or the FA Cup final and act as a catalyst to regenerate southern Manchester, which has got quite significant history in the UK.”
As discussions continue, the collaborative efforts of Manchester United, local authorities, and other stakeholders aim to ensure that the Old Trafford regeneration project delivers extensive socio-economic benefits and transforms the area into a dynamic hub for residents and businesses.