Manchester United have now revealed the group of architects who will be leading their Old Trafford ‘masterplan’ following months of reports regarding a new stadium/renovation of the existingone.
In truth, the subject of redeveloping Old Trafford has been talked about for much longer than that, even before Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS Group took control of their minority stake in the club, but it now looks as though the wheels are in motion.
Both the fan base and administration remain seemingly divided over the two prospects – redeveloping the Theatre of Dreams as it stands or erecting an entirely new sporting arena – and a definite decision is still yet to be announced but Man United have now confirmed who will be heading up the process.
Sharing the news on Friday, 20 September, they confirmed that the plans go much further than just the football ground itself and are part of a much wider “masterplan for the Old Trafford Stadium District”.
ℹ️ A world-renowned architecture studio is set to be appointed to develop a masterplan for the Old Trafford Stadium District 🏟️#MUFC
Unveiling world-renowned architects Foster + Partners as the chosen firm to lead the process, the latest update from the global footballing brand details will extend to cover the land surrounding the stadium which is already owned by the club.
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“The focus will be to design a world-class football destination and home for Manchester United fans, coupled with a wider masterplan comprising mixed-use developments which 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”, the statement reads.
As an assurance to the supporters who are still understandably torn over potentially saying goodbye to their ancestral home, the club also reiterated the Old Trafford masterplan will hinge on “substantial engagement with fans, community members, local authorities and the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, whose feedback and insights will be incorporated into the masterplan design.
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The task force was assembled earlier this year and features various figures from different public and private sectors, including the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who has already talked up the project as being arguably “the biggest regeneration scheme in the country”.
Some changes have already been made to the stadium since INEOS Sports came in, such as refurbishing the dressing rooms and the iconic Old Trafford tunnel, as well as expanding safe-standing and most recently updating signage and installations within the matchday kiosks.
According to regular United columnist, Samuel Luckhurst, the belief is that present plans consist of keeping Old Trafford, continuing to update and renovate, but to serve as a reduced capacity ground for the women’s team, while the men would likely move into a new state-of-the-art facility.
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Several walls around the concourse have also been knocked through, allowing fans to walk between stands ‘like back in the old days’. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Commenting on the announcement, the company’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Lord Foster, said: “As a proud Mancunian, I am passionate about the chance to rebuild on Manchester’s great industrial heritage, creating a vibrant new mixed-use community, served by highly sustainable and improved transport links, providing homes and jobs for the local community, all catalysed by a world-class stadium for the world’s most famous football team…”
Full name Norman Robert Foster, also known as Baron Foster of Thames Bank and now 89 years old, was born in Reddish, Stockport and is behind some of the most celebrated modernist architecture in the UK.
As for Man United’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Collette Roche, she added: “We have a clear vision to transform and revitalise the club-owned land around Old Trafford and we know that Foster + Partners is the best partner to help us develop the plans.
“This is an area of Greater Manchester ready for major new investment so that it can thrive once more, and we are determined to help deliver those outcomes.”
“We want this area to become a true destination, that not only provides an unbeatable matchday experience for our fans, but also supports other forms of entertainment, leisure, business and residential facilities surrounding a world-class stadium.”
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Ratcliffe and his partners have already said they want to create a “Wembley of the North” and it looks as though they’ve hired a big name to achieve that goal.
Manchester City staff member sacked after wearing Man United shirt to shift
Danny Jones
Man City have divided a fair few supporters after they sacked a barman for wearing a United shirt to their shift during the Manchester derby.
Although it’s not exactly surprising, the decision has ruffled plenty of feathers on both sides, as well as among neutral fans.
The Blues emerged victorious in the 197th clash between the two local rivals, winning 3-0 on an evening that paid tribute to the late, great Ricky Hatton, but another backstory looming over the fixture that caught the attention of football fans online was the City staff member who lost his job.
Working on concessions inside the Etihad Stadium before the game, the barman was made known to the official MCFC Matchday Support channel on X, who quickly confirmed he had been let go before the game even began.
In the since-deleted post, the home fan who reported the worker wrote: “Absolute joke – letting one of the bar staff in block 315 wear a United shirt on Derby Day.”
Although many City fans applauded the fast action by the club on the day, it’s fair to say that sacking him so soon that he didn’t even last until kick-off has rubbed many others the wrong way.
One Liverpool fan commented: “I hate United way more than City, but to sack him from a job because of an item of clothing is crazy. So, so poor from Manchester City, this. It’s just football lads, he’s not wearing a political or derogatory symbol. It’s literally a football team…”
Another neutral added: “Getting a minimum wage worker sacked for having a bit of fun instead of just winding him up is the absolute sad state this country is in.”
Even the ‘Out Of Context Football Manager‘ parody account chipped in, writing: “The guy’s been sacked for this. All he needed was a formal warning. I get he’s taking the p*ss – but losing a salary he might really need over this?!
While many have been even more outspoken in their response, as you can see, many supporters – be they Red or otherwise – have come up with arguably the perfect solution:
Manchester City are yet to comment on the backlash, apart from the initial confirmation that the still-anonymous staff member has been released from his position, but as for Man United, simply sticking him on the kiosks in the Stretford End could prove to be a very easy bit of positive PR.
Besides the growing frustration around the fanbase, as Ruben Amorim has yet to turn things around at Old Trafford (pressure was growing even before the derby day defeat), the Red Devils could no doubt do with some positive press for a change.
In fact, it was only earlier this year that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and the wider INEOS Sports administration sanctioned a second round of redundancies at United, with approximately 450 individuals losing their jobs.
That being said, although some have labelled the sacking of the now ex-City barman as “absolutely horrendous behaviour” for Man City, many jumped to quip back that “[United are] more likely to sack more bar staff, not hire them”, as well as simultaneously taking aim at their significant transfer spending.
Featured Images — Mataniels via X (now deleted)/The Manc Group
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Salford Red Devils supporters group outline plans for the next major protest march
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils supporters trust, The 1873, have outlined details of their next major march in protest over the club’s well-publicised ownership troubles and financial crisis.
The fan group, which has mobilised on multiple occasions already this year, is set to hit the streets once again this month and in larger numbers than ever, confirming another big demonstration before their next home game this weekend.
Sharing the update with fellow Red Devils on social media, 1837 leaders are demanding “truth and accountability from the top” ahead of the peaceful protest through Salford.
They have dubbed the event ‘The Last Rally’, but we can only assume there’ll be more fan action as the weeks and possibly months of uncertainty continue.
As you can see, The 1837 are calling for like-minded supporters to rally outside another nearby amateur rugby league football team, Salford City Roosters, before marching on to a second meeting point and, ultimately, the Salford Community Stadium.
Starting in Eccles, with a stop at Barley Farm, before arriving at their club’s home ground in Barton-upon-Irwell, the plan is to gather as much awareness, support and local attention as possible.
Writing in the caption of the above post, they added: “We’ve dominated headlines. We’ve exposed bad ownership. We’ve stood together.
“A history worth fighting for. A future worth protecting. Our last chance to be heard. Don’t stay silent. Make it count.”
Following a recent meeting of the RFL and the two Greater Manchester Mayors, Andy Burnham and Paul Dennett, Salford Red Devils were given somewhat of an even further stay of execution, as it was confirmed that their ‘winding up’/administration deadline has now been adjourned until October.
Nevertheless, the majority of fans are still being kept in the dark about the exact and up-to-date nature of their rugby league club’s situation at present.
Back in June, it looked like new investors could very well still be injecting vital funds to keep key players and staff on the books, but jump to now, and it looks like they don’t know if even things like the big screen even belong to them much longer.
Salford Red Devils aren’t just in debt – our very identity is up for grabs.
The badge. The name. Even the big screen. All signed off as collateral to financiers.
Once again, the march and peaceful protest will take place this Friday, 19 September, prior to the next fixture against Wakefield Trinity.
Getting points on the board will no doubt be a big plus for all, but the game looks like it will very much serve as the backdrop to the wider ongoing saga.
Are you a Red Devils fan, and if so, will you be attending the demonstration? Better still, even if not, what do you make of the circumstances surrounding your side at the moment?
Fantastic to see the fans turn out again, Salford Red Devils will never die 1873 👹🏉 pic.twitter.com/Gne5peQK6u
Danny Jones -
20th September 2024 
