DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
Sir Jim Ratcliffe hit by furious backlash by rival fans over plans for £2bn taxpayer-funded Man Utd ‘Wembley of North’
It could take up to eight years to fully revamp the stadium
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SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has been hit by furious backlash amid his plans for a £2BILLION taxpayer-funded stadium revamp.
Old Trafford chiefs have long planned to rebuild the Theatre of Dreams and new part-owner Ratcliffe is on board with the idea.
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In fact, SunSport understands Ratcliffe's plans include lobbying the government's "Levelling Up" pledges to give the north of England a venue to rival the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium.
But fans responded furiously as one said: "If they want a new ground they can fund it themselves."
Another added: "I don’t recall Arsenal or Spurs asking the taxpayer to pony up a bucket load of cash to build The Emirates or White Hart Lane.
"Let billionaire Ratcliffe dip into his own pockets."
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One fumed: "It’s the start of another North American model. First ESL with closed competition and now with public subsidises for stadiums.
"Ratcliffe should know better - stadium subsidies are a waste of taxpayer money."
Another slammed: "I don’t live in the North but I live in an area dying for investment.
"So the idea that my taxes could go along with millions more towards funding Man Utd’s stadium is disgusting! Under the guise of ‘levelling up’ too."
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Even Tracey Crouch MP - the former sports minister whose recommendations have led to plans for an independent football regulator - opposed the idea.
She told City A.M: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe knew what he was taking on when he bought into Manchester United.
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“Old Trafford may need upgrading to meet today’s standards, but funding should not come out of the taxpayer’s pocket to benefit the billionaires who own the club – especially as other clubs like Bury have faced ruin, devastating the town around them, with no bailout from the public purse.”
Another plan under consideration is to redevelop the South Stand of the 74,000-capacity ground.
Current estimates put expansion could cost at least £800m, while building a completely new ground would cost up to £2bn.
The plans for the development of the current stadium have been cited internally as taking eight years to complete.
Ratcliffe has also reportedly already opened dialogue with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and other officials in Trafford Council over the future of the ground.
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