Ratcliffe would like a new stadium for Manchester United

The new co-owner of Manchester United, Jim Ratcliffe, dreams of a new headquarters for the Red Devils, which could also host matches for the English team.

Jim Ratcliffe He doesn’t lack ambition. Head of the petrochemical giant Ineos, and already owner of the OGC Nice and the Swiss club Lausanne, the British billionaire officially entered the capital of manchester united.

A fan of the Red Devils since his childhood, he closed the acquisition of a 25% stake in the club, promising to return it “to the top of English, European and world football, with first-class facilities for our fans.”

For this reason, the 71-year-old businessman foresees changes at Old Trafford. In an interview granted to BBC This Wednesday he recognizes that Manchester United’s historic stadium, built in 1909 and with a capacity for 74,310 seats, is “tired” and “needs renovation.” At the same time he would like to see a new stadium built.

“It is worth thinking about the north”

“It’s time for someone to build a national stadium in the north of England. I think there are many arguments for regenerating the whole of south Manchester. The core of that project would be the construction of a new, world-class, state-of-the-art stadium.” A state-of-the-art stadium that could host England matches, the FA Cup final, the Champions League final. It could serve the north of England,” he explains.

He explained: “Why shouldn’t there be a stadium in the north of England where England can play? Why does everyone from the north have to go south for the FA Cup semi-finals? I think as part of a project regeneration “It is necessary to have a conversation with the national government. “It’s worth thinking about the North.”

While Euro 2028 will take place in the UK and Ireland, Old Trafford has not been chosen to host the matches. Further proof of its obsolescence is that it has not organized a Champions League final since 2003 and AC Milan’s victory against Juve.