The cost of Manchester United’s new stadium could cost as much as £4 billion to complete according to industry insiders – double the initial estimate provided by the club.
The Red Devils announced the intention to construct a new home for the first-team in March with a plan for a 100,000 seater stadium.
There had been much debate over the idea of a new build or a renovation to Old Trafford.
And while the latter would have appealed to the history of the club, having played in the famous ground for well over a century, it ultimately proved an unfeasible idea.
A ‘New’ Trafford would be a more efficient and cost-effective cost without the first-team being forced to play in a different venue while it is being constructed.
It also allows for a further regeneration project to be built alongside the new stadium which opens the door for governmental support.
A report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed the UK government are “really keen to crack on” with the project as it will help provide a kickstart to the economy.
But The Sun now reveals that experts in the industry are doubtful of INEOS’ initial claim the stadium would cost £2 billion to construct. Instead, these sources predict, the project could cost double that amount.
The report states, “United’s new stadium bill could reach £4 billion according to industry experts.
“A number of experts have warned in private that the Red Devils’ ambitious plans for a 100,000-seater arena could spiral out of control. The new stadium will replace Old Trafford, which has been the Red Devils’ home since 1910.”
Whether this projection turns out to be accurate remains to be seen.
But it’s a serious source of concern for INEOS at a time when a range of brutal cost-cutting measures are being implemented to, in the words of Sir Jim Ratcliffe himself, stop the club going bust by Christmas.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
