United plans to extend stadium are grounded
MANCHESTER UNITED have called off plans to make Old Trafford an 88,000-capacity superstadium – because they would have to find somewhere else to play.
United have drawn up three sets of proposals for the expansion of the single-tier Sir Bobby Charlton Stand in the past 10 years.
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust has led calls for an expansion, which would increase the capacity from 74,994.
Heavy
But managing director Richard Arnold (above) had already said that the expansion would leave the club temporarily “homeless” with no obvious alternative venue.
The club believe it would be too complicated a job if United stayed put.
With a railway line directly behind the stand and a row of houses opposite, there is no room for all the heavy machinery required.
Tottenham have moved to Wembley while White Hart Lane is rebuilt, and Chelsea have made a similar plan so they can expand Stamford Bridge.
There is no venue within reach of Manchester of a size similar ® to Old Trafford – and all the potential alternatives host rival clubs. For that reason, United say that have put off expansion of their stadium “in the near future”.
Old Trafford was expanded in the 1990s, with extra tiers added to the Sir Alex Ferguson and East Stands, with the Stretford End following suit in 2000.
But development was much easier on those three sides because they backed on to open car parks owned by the club.
The Sir Bobby Charlton Stand also hosts the dressing rooms and all the main media and television facilities, which would need to be relocated.
Old Trafford’s capacity will fall to 73,300 from the start of next season because of work needed to accommodate higher numbers of disabled supporters.
Arnold said earlier this week: “We haven’t left the easiest stand until last.
“It would be a multiseason challenge and it isn’t certain that there is a way of doing it which doesn’t render us homeless.” ® JURGEN KLOPP has no fears star man Mo Salah will look to quit Liverpool this summer. The Egyptian ace has fired in 39 goals in a sensational debut season for the Reds after they poached him from Roma for £37m. Real Madrid have been linked with a move for the former Chelsea winger, who is leading Liverpool’s charge in the Champions League. Kop boss Klopp (below) said: “Mo feels really good here, and he knows our style of play is perfect for him. I don’t have any worries.” Meanwhile, midfielder Emre Can could yet play for the club again as he battles a back injury. Germany international Can, who is out of contract this summer, is in Frankfurt receiving treatment and the Reds have not ruled out a return if they make the Champions League Final on May 26.