Manchester United is said to be considering the demolishing of Old Trafford as part of new redevelopment plans.
Although it is likely to be unpopular with the Premier League team’s worldwide fan base, Manchester United bosses are reportedly open to all ideas when it comes to the redevelopment of the iconic home stadium – and that includes what sounds like some rather dramatic plans to knock down the current ground, and rebuild a new one on the site.
According to the latest reports, the bulldozing of the existing stadium is understood to be the least likely choice at the current juncture, and this is mainly due to the significant obstacle of where the team would play their home games while the new venue was under construction.
United are yet to appoint a preferred partner for the stadium redevelopment, but planners competing for the contract are understood to have offered a variety of options and schemes, and club officials are said to be keeping an open mind at this stage of the process and not ruling anything out.
Other redevelopment options may include razing and rebuilding Old Trafford’s South Stand, or undertaking a complete revamp of the existing structure.
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Until a master planner is appointed, however, no concrete decision will be made.
Bosses are reportedly open to all ideas when it comes to the redevelopment of the iconic home stadium / Credit: @manuelgdsolar (via Unsplash)
With parts of the 74,000-capacity arena showing signs of age, Manchester United recognise the need to upgrade Old Trafford, bring it back up to standard amongst the leading clubs in the Premier League, and ultimately, improve the matchday experience for fans.
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They have been listening to ideas about how to achieve this, and have promised to consult with fans throughout the process.
Speaking last month on redevelopment plans and the club’s current position, chief operating officer Collette Roche said: “Turning to stadium development, since our last meeting we have been assessing the capabilities of globally-leading consultants who want to help us develop a ‘masterplan’ for the modernisation of Old Trafford, with the ultimate aim of improving the matchday experience for fans.
“We have met with companies across a range of disciplines, including architecture, engineering, construction, crowd modelling, transport, security and many more.
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“We are hoping to appoint our preferred partners in the coming weeks; following this, we will be able to formally kick-off phase one of the project, which will be focused on establishing the vision and objectives for the masterplan.”
No notable modernisation of the stadium has occurred since the Glazers bought the club in 2005 / Credit: TfGM (via Twitter)
Manchester United invested almost £20 million in Old Trafford in 2019.
£11 million was known to have been spent on improvements to accessible facilities, £4 million on security, and £4 million on refurbishing hospitality locales – but no notable modernisation of the stadium has occurred since the Glazers bought the club in 2005.
Harry Maguire extends Manchester United stay with new contract
Danny Jones
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has committed his future to the club for at least another year, signing a new contract extension.
The Man United centre-half and England international had been the subject of much speculation over the past year or so, with many expecting him to leave last summer.
Several Premier League clubs were said to be interested in acquiring the experienced centre-half’s services then, as were there other suitors this past January, but after surviving a period out of the first-choice XI, he’s since been enjoying somewhat of a renaissance.
All that being said, the board have now decided to reassure their faith in Maguire even further, offering him a fresh one-year deal with an option to extend by another season.
Now 33, it was thought that INEOS might try and cash in on the Yorkshire-born CB while they could still get a reasonable transfer fee for him, especially as a player now supposedly leaving the so-called ‘peak’ for a professional footballer.
Then again, plenty of players have certainly challenged that timeframe over the years, and if anything, this past 18 months or so has been one of the best periods in his United career.
Having not only regained a more consistent level of fitness and form, helping shore up the defence in the absence of others along the backline, he’s also continued to prove himself an aerial threat, chipping in with multiple big goals and more than one match-winner.
It’s also worth noting that he showed huge resilience after not only a fair amount of abuse from football fans and also some of his own team’s supporters, but following the saga in Greece on a family holiday in the aftermath of Euro 2020.
This bounce-back, among a number of other factors, is why he now looks like he could be back in the frame for the 2026 World Cup, making it into the Three Lions squads this past March.
Speaking in a club statement, Maguire said: “Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day. I’m delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us.”
Jason Wilcox, Manchester United director of football, went on to add: “Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.
“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success.”
NHS urges public not to delay getting medical help as ‘difficult’ resident doctors strike begins
Emily Sergeant
The NHS is urging the public not to delay seeking any medical help they may need despite the resident doctors strike beginning today.
Industrial action by resident doctors – who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) – officially started today at 7am (Tuesday 7 April) and is set to run for six full days until 6:59am on Monday 13 April.
This is the fifteenth round of strike action being taken by resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – over pay and jobs.
The NHS says hospital teams across the country are working to minimise disruption for patients.
From 7am today and continuing into next week, some NHS services will be affected due to strike action.
Here’s what you need to know about accessing NHS care during this time ⬇️
However, the health service has conceded that this particular round of strike action is expected to be ‘particularly challenging’ due to the shorter notice period it was given – which also includes bank holidays – and the action itself falling during the Easter school holidays.
But it insits ‘plans are in place’ to continue urgent and emergency care as normal, while keeping as much planned care going as possible.
In addition to prioritising urgent and emergency care, cancer, and maternity services, the NHS says it has shown in previous strikes that it can keep the vast majority of services running for patients.
With this being the case, the NHS is insisting that patients should attend planned appointments unless they have been contacted to reschedule.
The NHS is urging patients to still keep coming forward for care if they need it / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
“Staff across the NHS will be doing everything they can this week to keep patients safe and ensure people can continue to get the care they need,” commented Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, who is the National Clinical Director for Critical and Perioperative Care at NHS England, ahead of strike action beginning today.
“We know this round of industrial action will be difficult, coming straight after the Easter weekend, but patients should come forward as normal and attend any appointments unless they are contacted otherwise.”
GP practices, NHS 111, and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available during the strike period, so anyone who needs urgent but not life-threatening care should use 111 online in the first instance, where they will be directed to the most appropriate service for their needs.
Patients with life-threatening emergencies should continue to call 999 or attend A&E as normal.
Emily Sergeant -
15th March 2022 
