New Trafford plans rumbling on after latest positive development | OneFootball

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ambitions of creating a New Trafford could soon be realised after the most recent development regarding land acquisition.

Manchester United’s plans of erecting a state-of-the-art stadium with a capacity of 100,000 people had run into trouble due to an ongoing issue with Freightliner.

The company owns a crucial portion of the neighbouring land behind the Stretford End, without which no plans could have gone ahead.

As per The Daily Mail, INEOS were offering the company around £50 million, while Freightliner were demanding £400 million.

Issue with Freightliner

The company must have realised INEOS’ dire situation, and were trying to earn a major windfall. They would have never earned such a fee as the government would have intervened and set a set a fair price with a compulsory purchase order.

However, that would have been a time-taking process, and as per the report, INEOS have held “constructive” talks with Freightliner and they are now confident that a deal can be agreed “within the coming months”.

“Manchester United are optimistic that a deal for land around Old Trafford – that would pave the way for their new stadium – will be struck.

“The Premier League giant’s plans for a state-of-the-art 100,000 venue have been complicated by an ongoing issue with Freightliner, who own a crucial parcel of neighbouring land behind the Stretford End.

“Daily Mail Sport understands United have offered around £50m, with the company seeking what they feel is an unrealistic £400m. The club believe that a compulsory purchase order could ultimately be made, with the government intervening to set a fair price.

Positive talks have taken place

“However, it can be revealed that United officials have now carried out what have been described as ‘constructive’ discussions with Freightliner and are optimistic about striking a deal ‘within the coming months’.”

While Sir Jim Ratcliffe can now push ahead with the mega project, the stadium funding issue remains one to solve.

Government funding will be sought by the club for the wider infrastructure, but they would need to find the funds for the stadium themselves.

The Red Devils are hoping to get the stadium, dubbed the “Wembley of the North”, up and running for the 2030-31 season.

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