Manchester United announce shock plans to knock down Old Trafford and build new stadium with Sebastian Coe to lead task force

Manchester United have announced their bold regeneration plans for Old Trafford.

A joint task force has been created in order to explore options for regenerating the area, including the development of a world-class football stadium.

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Plans have been revealed for the regeneration of Old TraffordCredit: Getty

The ‘Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force’ is being led by former Chair of the organising committee for the 2012 London Olympics, Lord Sebastian Coe.

United legend Gary Neville is also involved, as well as Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Chief Executive of Trafford Council Sara Todd.

Plans were originally announced in February amid reports that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to build a ‘Wembley of the North’ at Old Trafford.

He has now offered more clarity as he said in a press release: “This can be a major regeneration project for an area of Greater Manchester which has played such a key role in British industrial history, but which today requires new investment to thrive again.

“The north-west of England has a greater concentration of majorfootball clubs than anywhere else in the world, yet we don’t have a stadium on the scale of Wembley, the Nou Camp or Bernabeu.

“We will not be able to change that on our own, which is why this task force is so important to help us seize this once in-a-century opportunity.”

United will not be moving away from their historic home at Old Trafford, where they have played since 1910.

They have the option to redevelop their existing stadium, with previous plans eyeing a 90,000 capacity ground, or build a new one on club-owned land adjacent to the current site.

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United will not move away from their current site and could build a new stadiumCredit: Getty

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Lord Coe will lead the expert task forceCredit: AFP

Ratcliffe is so far swaying towards a new build in order to transform the fan experience and surrounding community, with United board offering their support for this.

The club would be able to finance a phased redevelopment of Old Trafford but a new stadium would require support from funding partners, with previous estimated costs standing between £1.5billion and £2billion.

Manchester United fan Mark Goldbridge on Erik ten Hag, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Ross Barkley

United have surveyed 30,000 fans on the future of Old Trafford as part of their initial master planning process before a strategic review.

The club also own a large amount of land surrounding the stadium, which could be repurposed for housing, leisure, business, and education, driving investment and jobs and improving the environment.