Mayor Andy Burnham has claimed that Manchester United’s plans to redevelop Old Trafford are not only massive for the club and Greater Manchester but that they could prove to be one of the biggest Levelling Up projects in the UK.
Speaking in a lengthy press conference after being appointed as one of several figures on Man United’s ‘regeneration taskforce‘, which is being tasked with exploring all the options surrounding the next chapter for Old Trafford, the Manchester mayor insisted that the plans are much bigger than the club.
As per the BBC’s Simon Stone, Burnham said, “This could be the biggest regeneration scheme in the country” and that beyond being a shiny new football ground, it could bring “thousands of jobs” to the region in turn.
He also revealed that the club isn’t set to make a decision on whether to remain at a refurbished Theatre of Dreams or build a new construct a new Old Trafford until the middle/latter part of the year — one of the key decisions that the taskforce is helping United’s executives reach.
Having already insisted that Old Trafford’s regeneration — be it an updating and upgrading or a total rebuild — would mean “no other city in the world would be set up in terms of its football infrastructure to Manchester”, the Labour MP has insisted he is fully committed to playing his part in the project.
Named alongside the likes of club legend turned pundit and businessman, Gary Neville, Lord Sebastian Coe (former Chair of the organising committee for the 2012 Olympics) and the Chief Exec of Trafford Council, Sara Todd, he will be key in making sure the plans have both social and economic impact.
Burnham went on to tell BBC Sport: “We’ve seen what has happened on the east of Manchester, with the investment that has gone in. I’m looking at a balancing investment on the west of Manchester that will set this city up to be the capital of football around the world in the 21st century.”
Referencing Man City and how the development of the Etihad Campus has undoubtedly helped regenerate surrounding areas over the past decade or so, it’s clear that the 54-year-old sees this as a massive investment in the community as opposed to just a private venture — and has said as much too:
Andy Burnham insists whatever happens to Old Trafford, it should involve a mix of public investment and private funding.
While Burnham’s suggestion that Manchester United should seek public investment has come under plenty of fire, with many asking why their new billionaire co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe would turn to the taxpayer for help with funding, he insisted it should be a “public-private partnership”, not a handout.
As an Everton fan himself, he was quick to cite how the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has already helped the Toffees in supplying loans, grants and in covering other professional costs related to supporting works on their new stadium on Bramley Moore dock which is still in progress.
Circling back to United and Old Trafford, Burnham added: “People should just get away from the idea of public sector money, that is not the issue, it is much broader, with transport, employment and new investment into our city region. That is what is at stake here.”
The Mayor also appeared on a special episode of MUTV’s UTD Podcast, touching on how such a project would be massive for the North as a whole, transport and the ever-growing Bee Network, as well as how his new consulting brief fits into his wider role as the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
The insights that people like Andy Burnham, Gary Neville and Lord Coe will no doubt factor into how Manchester United approach the plans and whether it be continuing Old Trafford’s legacy or starting from scratch, but several reports are now suggesting that Ratcliffe is leaning towards a new stadium.
The INEOS boss has already insisted that he wants Old Trafford to become the ‘Wembley of the North’ and feels the stadium plans would need government backing to achieve that goal.
People have long been envisaging what a new and improved Old Trafford could look like, be it upgrading the existing stadium or erecting entirely new ground, and it remains a big debate amongst the supporter base. What do you think, United fans: stay put and renovate or think up the next Theatre of Dreams?
Local LGBTQIA+ football team Manchester Laces are set to play in the FA Cup for the first time ever
Danny Jones
Inclusive football team Manchester Laces are set to break even more new ground are they prepare to compete in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the first time ever.
What a truly incredible few years it’s been for the club.
Set to play their maiden match in the female division of the sport’s oldest competition this weekend, Manchester Laces’ Yellows squad will be taking on rival Greater Manchester Women’s Football League (GMWFL) side, Northwich Victoria, in another historic milestone for the local outfit.
Announced last month, the game is now fast approaching, and they’re hoping that plenty of Manc natives will turn up in support.
For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Manchester Laces has grown to become the leading women’s, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ positive sporting bodies in the region.
In fact, as part of a wider family – which includes clubs in Hackney, South London and Limehouse Laces, not to mention players over in Canada too – they’re comfortably one of the biggest in the entire country.
Sticking with MCR Laces alone, founded by Helen Hardy, they have grown so much in reputation and size that they have six different teams besides just the Yellows: the other Manchester squads include the Blues, Greens, Oranges, Purples, as well as the budding new Reds and Blacks.
It’s this kind of impressive expansion and, crucially, representation that has seen them win two Football v Homophobia Awards and Grassroots Initiative of the Year back in 2023.
Side-note: they also happen to have one of our favourite fooy kits of the entire year so far…
Boasting a new regular stadium at Timpson Road and set to take part not only in the North West Women’s Regional Football League (NWWFL)/GMWFL, but now FA Cup and county cup games, 2025 could be their most momentous year yet.
Providing access to countless women and people from within the queer and non-binary community who love the beautiful game and may have otherwise struggled to find an outlet, their work has been crucial in and around Greater Manchester.
With that in mind, taking part in an inaugural run within the prestigious knockout tournament feels like yet another watershed moment for the organisation.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, the club wrote on social media: “In 2021, we started our journey in Div 2 of the GMWFL with the aim of creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all. After winning consecutive league titles and earning back-to-back promotions, we are now a Tier 6 team.
“Yellows are delighted to be stepping into the magic of the FA Cup for the very first time, and we would love to see you there!
Taking place at both Wythenshawe Town FC’s and the Yellows’ own new home ground of Ericstan Park on Sunday, 7 September (2pm KO), we wish them the best of luck.
A huge Hot Wheels monster truck event is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
A massive Hot Wheels-themed monster truck event is coming to Manchester city centre as part of a brand new UK tour.
You can file this under one for the kids and for the big kids.
Following the success of the brand’s award-winning ‘Glow-N-Fire’ event earlier this year, Hot Wheels is hitting the road once again and bringing the explosive show to yet more domestic audiences.
Whether you’re a monster truck enthusiast, part of the wider motorhead masses, or simply looking for something fun to do with the little ones, you should be all over this.
Credit: Pres shots (supplied)
What is Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire?
Produced by Family Entertainment Live, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ sees versions of the genuine collectable toys brought to life on the biggest scale possible.
Remember that old miniature car you had that looked like a shark? Yep, they’ve even got that.
But there’s much more than just colossally large vehicles; as well as the debut of an all-new truck called the ‘Rhinomite’ – the dynamite Rhino-themed truck which charges horn-first into challenges and looks to destroy the competition – the new and improved experience will feature never-before-seen stunts.
Performed not only by the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks drivers, but also by a talented roster of FMX (freestyle motocross), you can expect the likes of no-handed front flips and much more by these impressive professionals.
Returning not only to the capital but now Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds too, more and more Brits are going to be able to see the action for themselves.
Credit: Supplied
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live – UK tour dates
Saturday to Sunday, 3-4 January 2026: AO Arena, Manchester
Sat-Sun, 10-11 January: The O2 Arena, London
Sat-Sun, 28-29 March: First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds
Sat-Sun, 4-5 April: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Sat-Sun, 11-12 April: Utilita Arena, Birmingham
With special children’s pricing, VIP packages and even the chance to participate in the official pre-show party, held two and a half hours prior to every performance, there really is so much value-for-money to be soaked up from this high-octane piece of live entertainment at the AO Arena.
The pre-show party, specifically, gives fans a unique opportunity to access the arena floor where they can get up close and personal with the outrageous Hot Wheels designs and the truly epic size of a minster struck, as well as grab autographs and selfies with their favourites.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks – Manchester tickets
Glow-N-Fire won the most recent Pollstar ‘Family Show of the Year’ award and has sold thousands of tickets this year alone, so it goes without saying that you have every reason to give this one a go.
Tickets for next year’s Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live show at the AO Arena in Manchester go on sale this Friday, 5 September at 10am.
Danny Jones -
12th March 2024 
