Manchester United boost as Government backs Old Trafford regeneration project
Manchester United boost as Government backs Old Trafford regeneration project
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Manchester United has welcomed the announcement of Government support for the project to regenerate the area around Old Trafford, with chief executive Omar Berrada describing it as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity". A UK Treasury statement on Saturday evening said Chancellor Rachel Reeves was championing the Old Trafford project as "a shining example" of the Government's plans to promote economic growth.
A world-leading new venue - either redeveloping the current stadium to increase capacity to 87,000 or build a new ground which could hold 100,000 fans - is at the heart of the regeneration project. "The delivery of a world-class stadium can be the catalyst for major regeneration of an area of Greater Manchester which requires new investment to thrive again," Berrada said in a statement published on the United website.
"We cannot achieve that wider aim on our own, which is why we welcome the announcement by the Chancellor and the ongoing support of the Mayor of Greater Manchester (Andy Burnham) and Trafford Council. "If we work together, there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a landmark project around Old Trafford that the whole region can be proud of.".
While United would take responsibility for the stadium development, support from public bodies would be needed to unlock the wider regeneration opportunity. This would include improved transport infrastructure and housing around Old Trafford. Burnham said: "With our devolved powers we're mobilising the whole Greater Manchester system to lock in growth for the next decade and reap the rewards for our city-region and UK plc.
