Manchester United has secured the majority of the land required for its proposed new 100,000-seat stadium after acquiring a 25-acre site located around 350 metres north of Old Trafford.
The land, purchased from industrial space provider Indurent, sits between Europa Way, Wharfside Way and John Gilbert Way in Manchester. The acquisition marks a significant step forward in the club’s plans to build a new home as part of a wider regeneration initiative in the area.
The stadium project forms part of a proposed 370-acre redevelopment scheme that is expected to deliver approximately 15,000 new homes, create 48,000 jobs and contribute more than £7 billion annually to the UK economy.
“Being able to build so close to Old Trafford allows us to preserve the heritage, traditions and rituals that are so important to our fans,” said Collette Roche, chief executive of Manchester United’s new stadium development project.
“We are committed to building a world-class stadium with our supporters, not just for them, with atmosphere, affordability and accessibility at the heart of our thinking.
“This is a generational opportunity that is fully aligned with both local and national growth ambitions.
“Securing the right land for our new home has been absolutely critical, and the land we’ve acquired gives us the stage to deliver a truly world-class stadium that honours our past and is ready for our future.”
Freightliner negotiations remain unresolved
The newly acquired site is located north of land owned by rail logistics company Freightliner, with whom Manchester United has been engaged in negotiations.
Reports have suggested that Freightliner was seeking around £400 million for its site, significantly above the approximately £50 million valuation the club was prepared to offer. The absence of any reference to the Freightliner land in the club’s announcement has fuelled speculation that discussions remain unresolved, prompting United to pursue alternative options.
Manchester United is continuing to work alongside Trafford Council and the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation on the development.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had previously indicated that a compulsory purchase order could be considered if negotiations over the Freightliner site failed to progress.
In March, Roche said the club intended to submit a planning application for the stadium within the next 12 to 18 months.
The proposed venue is expected to take around five years to complete and carry a construction cost exceeding £2 billion.