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.
Pep Guardiola delivers gutting news as Man City are hit with Erling Haaland injury blow
Danny Jones
Pep Guardiola has passed on some gutting fitness news for Manchester City fans as star striker Erling Haaland is confirmed to be injured for several weeks and could even miss the rest of the Premier League season.
The title might be out of reach this year, and the Champions League knockout against Real Madrid was definitely hard for Blues to take, but with Man City into the semi-finals of the FA Cup, there’s still a very strong chance they could end 2024/25 with a piece of silverware.
However, they’ll have to make it through another two massive rounds at Wembley and seemingly the remainder of the season without Haaland and his goals, as the Catalan coach revealed that the club expects him to be out injured for “six to seven weeks.”
Not exactly how City fans would have wanted to see the rest of an already frustrating season play out.
🗣️ "We don't have another player with his skills."
Relaying diagnosis from the medical team, Pep said the hope is that the big Norwegian number nine could be back for the very tail end of the campaign, but at the very least, he “will be ready for the [FIFA Club] World Cup.”
He went on to add that “these kinds of things happen” and that he feels “sorry” for all of the other injuries that have befell his squad up till now, adding that they can only hope for a speedy recovery and for him to return as soon as possible.
The 24-year-old hasn’t had too many big injury problems in his career thus far, although his longest spell on the sidelines did come at the end of 2023 when a stress fracture kept him out until the new year.
This time around, Haaland suffered an injury to his ankle during the City’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth on Sunday following a challenge from defensive midfielder Lewis Cook.
He was forced in the second half and was seen leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches after the game.
Erling Haaland seen leaving Bournemouth in a protective boot and crutches. 🤕
Having led the golden boot race for a good chunk of the season – as he’s become accustomed too since he arrived in England – City‘s sub-optimal season has seen him slink into second behind high-flying Mo Salah on 27, but he still has a couple dozen goals and a trio of assists to show for it.
Speaking of Salah, the soon-to-leave ‘Egyptian King’ has been the talisman for Liverpool this season, and his contributions could see them lift the trophy in Arne Slot’s first season as early as 13 April, depending on how fellow title rivals Arsenal fare in their next two matches.
As for how City round out their domestic campaign, reclaiming the FA Cup after last year’s derby disappointment looks like the main goal.
You can watch Pep Guardiola’s press conference ahead of the game against Leicester City at 19:45pm tomorrow (Wednesday, 2 April) in full HERE.
Masters Football isn’t just back – it’s coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The much-loved Masters Football format made its glorious comeback in 2022, and since then, it’s been steadily rebuilding an audience of passionate fans, plenty of whom you’ll find here in the sporting city of Manchester – so it’s a good job the national tournament is heading our way.
That’s right, the official English Masters Football competition is coming to 0161 later this year and will be bringing a host of legendary North West talent from years gone by to take part.
Although the full squads and their team captains have yet to be announced, former professionals from Manchester United, Man City, Liverpool, Everton, and more will be lacing back up their boots.
Manchester Masters Football 2025 lands at the equally iconic AO Arena this September.
Credit: Publicity Pictures (supplied)
For anyone unfamiliar with Masters Football, which developed a die-hard following when it first ran between 2000 and 2011, is shorter, indoor-only six-a-side footy tournament similar to futsal.
Each team will feature eight retired players, and the games unfold in a round-robin format, with each match consisting of two eight-minute halves, meaning that both sides have a little over a quarter of an hour to score enough to make it past the other.
In addition to the quicker matches, they will battle it out on a 60m x 30m pitch – the same size of an international ice hockey rink – and whoever makes it through with the highest points will battle it out in a grand final to claim the Manchester Masters title.
As you can see, players set to star this year include ex-United and City defenders Wes Brown and Joleon Lescott, as well as Liverpool and Everton strikers Djibril Cisse and Yakubu Ayegbeni.
You can see some of the best moments from the year it officially returned to the UK down below:
The Manchester edition of the 2025 English Masters Football Tournament Series arrives at the AO Arena on Friday, 5 September.
Doors will open to the venue from 6pm, with the first match kicking off at 7pm, so you better have drinks and snacks in time for bums to hit seats.
As for tickets, there’ll be two chances at early access, first for Three+ mobile members at 10am on Wednesday, 2 April and then via the venue’s presale window at the same time the following day. General admission tickets will be made available, also from 10am, the following Saturday, 5 April.
Danny Jones -
20th September 2024 
