Old Trafford is falling apart

During the Manchester Women's Derby played yesterday afternoon, part of the concrete structure of Block N2402 at Old Trafford collapsed, hitting two fans of the Red Devils. In a country where football facilities are described as cutting-edge architectural works, witnessing the decay of Old Trafford is a "spectacle" that makes headlines. What is not new, however, are discussions about the redevelopment of Old Trafford, one of the most famous stadiums in the world and home to Manchester United for 113 years.

It's a story that primarily aligns with the on-field results of the Red Devils, but secondarily involves controversies regarding ownership, the club's future prospects, and even the urban planning of the city of Manchester. We are probably facing a turning point. Jim Ratcliffe, the richest man in the UK, is reportedly ready to close a deal with the Glazer family, acquiring a 25% stake in the company and thus becoming a minority partner. The first promises have not been lacking. The entrepreneur has stated his intention to allocate around £245 million for the refurbishment of United's facilities, including the training center. With offers surpassing those of Sheikh Jassim Al Thani, much of the future of Manchester United is now in the hands of Jim Ratcliffe.

Renovation of the Sir. Bobby Charlton Stand

There has been talk for some time about the refurbishment of the Sir. Bobby Charlton Stand, the south stand of Old Trafford dedicated to the recently deceased Manchester United legend. The project for the stand would involve an increase in seating, especially hospitality seats. The stadium, and the Red Devils' infrastructure in general, face many other serious issues. One of the major concerns is the stadium roof. As recently shared by a user on Twitter, spectators are not adequately protected from the rain, a very common meteorological phenomenon in England. Moreover, restoring the Sir. Bobby Charlton Stand would not be easy. The project would require the installation of a concrete support above the adjacent railway line to facilitate demolition. Due to the recent increase in prices, the cost of concrete would be even more significant.

Harmony between the Glazer family and Jim Ratcliffe

There seems to be total harmony between the two parties. The Glazers have always stated a preference for renovating the stadium rather than demolishing it. One of their primary goals has always been the preservation of the club's heritage, and building a new stadium would go completely against this idea. Additionally, as reported by the Manchester Evening News in this article, building a new stadium from scratch would cost exactly as much as a hypothetical upgrade of the historic structure. There would be many tasks to be carried out inside the stadium, especially because if the Sir. Bobby Charlton Stand were to be demolished, to ensure a minimum of 52,000 spectators for each match, the club would need to build a third tier at the Stretford End and the Scoreboard End.

Hotel, Fan Park, and Training Center: New Horizons

Among the projects that could emerge with Ratcliffe's intervention are those of a new hotel and a fan park dedicated to the fans. The hotel would ideally be located behind the Sir. Alex Ferguson Stand, where the ticket office is currently situated. A recent article from The Sun reports testimonials from Gary Neville and Morgan Schneiderlin, former Red Devils players who have highlighted the inconceivability of Manchester United not investing in the renovation of the Carrington training ground. Their statements add to those of Cristiano Ronaldo, who, in an interview with Piers Morgan, shed light on the outdated nature of the facility, emphasizing that nothing has changed on the red side of Manchester since the last season with Ferguson. In the meantime, Manchester United has invested £7 million in the part of the facility used by the women's team.