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Manchester United has entered into a strategic partnership with Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to drive regeneration opportunities for the area around Old Trafford.
An advisory team, led by an independent director, will be appointed to support the ongoing work to develop an “ambitious vision” for the Trafford Wharfside area, with a focus on how Old Trafford can catalyse broader regeneration.
The appointed director and advisory team will ensure alignment with the existing Trafford Wharfside master-planning process and the work on the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, which was set up in March to explore options for a new or redeveloped stadium for United.
United has not yet confirmed its plans for Old Trafford but reports emerged in July that the club has set its sights on building a new 100,000-capacity stadium next to the current ground instead of redeveloping the venue. A final decision is expected to be made by the end of the year.
In February, United welcomed plans to regenerate Trafford Wharfside, as Trafford Council announced a draft masterplan to redevelop the area over the next 15 years. Trafford Wharfside neighbours Media City and the plans will celebrate the Manchester Ship Canal waterfront and the Imperial War Museum while creating opportunities for up to 5,000 high-quality new homes.
The appointed advisory team will provide technical and project management support to Trafford Council, the GMCA and United as work on the area progresses. The group will also deliver important guidance to inform the final recommendations of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force.
Lord Sebastian Coe, chair of the Task Force, said: “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.
“There is a huge opportunity to connect Trafford Wharfside regeneration with the ongoing growth of neighbouring Media City in Salford, and Greater Manchester’s Western Gateway and Central Growth Cluster plans, to create a project of national significance. The tripartite advisory team will help fully unlock this incredibly exciting potential.”
Councillor Liz Patel, Member for Economy and Regeneration at Trafford Council, added: “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, and 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 place which is dynamic and attractive 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.”
It has been reported that a new stadium would cost United more than £2bn (€2.4bn/$2.6bn) and take six years to compete. United shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has previously set out his vision for a 100,000-capacity stadium for the club that would rival the revamped Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and Spotify Camp Nou.
Old Trafford is the largest club stadium in England but it has not been included on the list of host venues for UEFA Euro 2028, which will take place across the UK and Ireland, amid the uncertainty surrounding its future.
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