You are here: Home » News » Top News » Manchester United owners suggest being ‘ambitious’ and ‘unlocking full potential’ at Old Trafford By Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham has encouraged Manchester United’s new Failsworth-born co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to be “ambitious” and “unlock the full potential” of the domain around Old Trafford as club officials discuss the future of the stadium.
Currently, the new owners of the Red Devils are making plans to revitalize their home.
Options on the table include redeveloping Old Trafford, as has been seen at Liverpool’s home of Anfield, or completely demolishing it to build a new stadium on the same site, which was the approach taken by Tottenham Hotspur for their new arena.
Mr Burnham, seeking a third term as Mayor of Greater Manchester in May, says that it is for the club to decide what it will do – but says he ‘will support whatever the club wants to do’.
However, speaking on BBC Radio Manchester this morning (Thursday), he added that ‘the higher the level of ambition, the better’ on the new stadium plans – believing the club can ‘fully unlock’ the potential of the area around Old Trafford in a similar way to Manchester City’s move to the Etihad Stadium following the Commonwealth Games some 20 years ago.
“The club is its characteristics and Sir Jim Ratcliffe has joined the club,” Burnham said.
“I think it’s no secret that they’re looking for Old Trafford-related features or anything new nearby.
“As far as I know, those reflections are still relevant.
“From my point of view, and from the point of view of Greater Manchester, we will facilitate any resolution by the club.
“I told them that we will do everything the club needs to do.
“If I’m honest, the higher the point of ambition, the better.
“The strength of our two football clubs is immense and City have unleashed it in east Manchester.
“We found that with the advent of Co-op Live, we are very unlikely to create this dominance [as it was] in my children today.
“The same can happen in the west of Greater Manchester, where United’s strength is completely unleashed: then either club conquers the whole region of the city.
“It’s not my decision, all I’m saying is that we’re here for you. “
Although Burnham would not lean towards her favorite option for the long term at Old Trafford, she does lean towards one idea.
It has been suggested in recent days that, should United need to leave Old Trafford to allow construction work to take place for a season, ‘the only place that could facilitate’ the club is Wembley, show host Joe McGrath said.
“I wouldn’t, I don’t think so at all. I wouldn’t see it as the only option,” Mr Burnham replied.
“There’s a lot we can do to help the club, it’s clearly going through a transition phase, that’s transparent, the question is what they need to do. “
“There are things I can do for whatever they need to accomplish.
“I think it is the world capital of football, because in Europe we are only one of the two cities where there are two winners of the Champions League.
“That, straight away, makes Manchester a level above the rest of the UK.
“There is an opportunity here to make Manchester the capital of world football for the rest of the century and that is why we are here to help the club in all its decisions. “
Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing [email protected] , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.
. . . We have a small favor to ask of you; Would you like to get involved with the Oldham Chronicle and sign up for other citizens by making a contribution, from just £3 a month?
Support the Oldham Chronicle
© Oldham Chronicle – all rights reserved.