Manchester United, their chief architects and the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force have finally revealed their first impressions of what the new stadium and surrounding area could look like.
After naming Foster + Partners as the lead designers on the new ‘Wembley of the North’ last week and teasing further details surrounding their Old Trafford masterplan, supports now have their first glimpse at what the task force is hoping can be achieved with the soon-to-be-redeveloped stadium and region.
In addition to creating over 92,000 jobs in the immediate area and across nearby boroughs, one of the biggest claims they have made is that the regeneration scheme will inject an “extra £7.3 billion in GVA [gross value added] for the UK economy each year.”
Presuming these projections are to be believed, Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham might be right when he says this could be “the biggest regeneration scheme ever seen in this country.”
Old Trafford update 🏟️
An economic report has explored the benefits of regenerating our stadium and surrounding area ⤵️#MUFC
Man United shared the lengthy reel featuring concept art and quotes from figures partnering with the Old Trafford Regeneration scheme, including Mayor Burnham, club legend and local entrepreneur Gary Neville and task force’s chair, Lord Sebastian Coe, among others.
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Coe, a retired Olympic track and field athlete himself turned sports administrator and former politician, echoed Burnham’s sentiment, adding: “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something special.”
Lord Foster (of Foster + Partners), who was born just down the road in Reddish, Stockport, also expressed his excitement about being part of the project and building upon “the foundations of Manchester’s industrial heritage.”
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The club stated that the overall scheme “will benefit the local community, attract new residents, increase job provision, and make it a vibrant destination for visitors from Manchester, the UK and all around the world”, and the Mayor assured no public money will be used in the development.
You see some snapshots of the would-be teaser video down below:
The first impressions of what a new Old Trafford stadium could be look like (Credit: Man United via screenshot)
The plans will see ‘New Trafford’ – we have no idea if that’s actually its name or not, by the way, just an easy working title for our purposes – erected as the first 100,000-seater stadium not only in the North but the entire country, surpassing the current largest (Wembley) by a full 10k.
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However, as the full update from United explains, the plans go far beyond just creating a new football ground: they want to develop the entire Old Trafford district and pump money into both already valuable areas like the Trafford Park industrial complex and under-utilised areas.
The regeneration team has also been tasked with helping carve out plans for “new mixed-use developments around the stadium and in the adjacent Trafford Wharfside area” as well as along the River Irwell towards Salford Quays.
As you see, while these small snippets might only be artistic impressions at this stage, the CGIs have also been backed up by the first models designed by the architects.
You can see more here:
The plan is to make the Old Trafford area a full on sporting, leisure and entertainment destination.Credit: Man United x Old Trafford Regeneration (screenshot)/Sky Sports (via YouTube – screenshot)
Other stats about the Old Trafford Regeneration scheme that follow these first impressions include an estimated 1.8 million additional visitors to the multi-purpose stadium and more than 17,000 new homes following investment in the surrounding areas.
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The club and their regeneration task force are eyeing up a total of one million square meters of new developments/redeveloped plots, so it goes without saying that this could change the face of a good chunk of Greater Manchester forever.
With talk that Man United now intend to keep the existing Theatre of Dreams to house the women’s team and preserve their storied history – rather than bulldoze as many first feared – what you do make of this first look at the potential future of your stadium, Reds?
Tommy Fury announces return to boxing after his ‘hardest battle’ yet
Danny Jones
Manc boxer Tommy Fury has announced his return to the ring later this year, although he’s still keeping tight-lipped about some of the finer detailsabout his next fight.
Tommy Fury has been stuck on the sidelines for the best part of the last two years following his last boxing match against influencer and musician KSI, having reluctantly stepped away from boxing through injury and well-publicised personal issues outside of the sport.
He ultimately pulled out of his intended comeback against Darren Till ahead of what looked to be an already fraught face-off, and his been quiet on the competitive front ever since – until now.
Revealing a scheduled date for the next fight, the 25-year-old took to social media to confirm that he will be back very soon but is withholding some of the particulars for now.
Writing in the caption, the younger Fury brother said: “Two years out. One surgery. The hardest battle I’ve faced has been the mental battle of being away from boxing. But I’m back stronger, sharper, and more HUNGARY than ever.”
However, the most notable omission is who he will actually be taking on, i.e. one of the main reasons fight fans would be interested in the first place.
Although many have been left frustrated by the infrequency of his fights due to multiple cancellations, it’s clearly a concerted effort to build anticipation ahead of the event.
Sharing the date for his Budapest bout – which is coming much sooner than many would have expected (Friday, 9 May) – he signed off by adding: “It’s showtime. Let’s go!”
Besides the social media post, the local fighter published a lengthy announcement video/teaser trailer on the official Tommy Fury YouTube channel on Monday night, in which he states, “the contract has literally just been signed as we speak”.
You can watch the feature in full down below:
In truth, the majority of the video is about brand deals, but it does show getting some training done.
Hyping up his undefeated record, with 10 wins to his name thus far in his still fairly fledgling boxing career, he goes on to say he is “over the moon” and ready to get back in business.
Only time will tell whether this fight will actually go ahead as his followers have gotten more than used to seeing his matches postponed or cancelled. First and foremost, who do you think his comeback opponent is gong to be?
His name has mostly been in the headlines due to his high-profile relationship with fellow famous face Molly Mae-Hague.
The couple, who first met on Love Island back in 2019, welcomed their first child, Bambi, back in January 2023 but went on to split up last August. A docuseries covering their struggles dropped at the start of this year.
Featured Images — Screenshot (via YouTube)/Ghazi Twaissi (via WikiCommons)/The Manc Group
Sport
Belle Vue manager warns of former Aces ahead of Premiership clash
Danny Jones
Belle Vue Aces boss and Aussie speedway legend Mark Lemon has warned his side of Oxford Spires’ quality ahead of their face-off in the Premiership, especially as they prepare to come against some ex-ATPI employees.
With a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership round coming up on Monday night (14 April) and the Aces second in the table with five early points total on the board already, the CEO, Director and Team Manager isn’t underestimating the southern opponents.
Even though Oxford have had a tough start to the season, the Manchester racers can’t afford to be complacent, and Lemon has already identified some key threats on the track, including two former Aces.
It’ll be a thrilling night at the National Speedway Stadium (NSS), as always.
𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼…
♣️ ATPI Aces v Oxford Spires ⛪️ 🗓️ Monday, April 14, 7.30pm. 🏆 Premiership R1. 🏟️ National Speedway Stadium. 🎟️ Get ticket now: https://t.co/DREWNjxB09 🍴 Hospitality: https://t.co/RFS3gcPD99
Speaking on Sunday ahead of the races, the 52-year-old said: “I know it’s a cliche, but there really aren’t any easy meetings in the Premiership.
“We know what Oxford’s riders are capable of; Rohan [Tungate] and Charles [Wright] can be very good at the National Speedway Stadium, and that makes them dangerous.
“When you add in the likes of [Maciej] Janowski, Erik Riss and guest Dan Thompson, [Oxford Spires] are a strong side.”
33-year-old ‘Magic’ Janoswki from Poland is not only a former world number three but has four FIM Speedway World Cup gold medals to his name.
Nevertheless, the Aces have bounced back after a disappointing 50-40 defeat in the KO Cup by Ipswich Witches to record a double over King’s Lynn Stars, with a narrow loss against Leicester still showing plenty of fight and promise for the rest of the campaign.
Belle Vue Aces’ Jaimon Lidsey pushing hard against King’s Lynn – here’s hoping for more of that against Oxford. (Credit: Taylor Lanning)
Lemon went on to assure that he remains confident, however, adding: “We’re settling back into a routine. It was good that all the boys are getting confidence-building scores.
“Zach Cook, Norick Blodorn and Jake Mulford have all started winning key races and scoring well. Tate Zischke is also solving some bike issues.
“As I’ve said before, at this time of the season, it’s about building momentum. That’s the target.”
The Aces get underway against the Spires at the NSS just down the road in Gorton from 7:30pm – best of luck to all those at Belle Vue.
Danny Jones -
24th September 2024 
