Manchester United

Image source, Foster + Partners

There is plenty of information circulating about Manchester United's new stadium plans, but here are the key facts you need to know:

• The ground is set to hold 100,000 fans - making it the biggest stadium in the UK.

• The project is set to cost around £2bn.

• Leading architect Lord Norman Foster says the stadium can be built in five years - half the time it would usually take to build one from scratch.

• The project is expected to create 92,000 new jobs, more than 17,000 new homes as well as drive 1.8 million visitors annually.

Here are some more of your comments about the plans...

Nigel: It is extremely ambitious and befits Manchester United but the best aspects are the focus on building with sustainability at the core and developing a thriving community around the stadium along the lines promoted by Brentford.

Matt: Absolutely gutted. Manchester United not playing at Old Trafford, not playing attacking football with width, not supporting the foundation staff of the club - that's not my team or club anymore I'm afraid, after being an active supporter for over 40 years.

Michael: Stunning, for the fans, club and surrounding area.

Billy: A club with so much debt, that just paid off hundreds of employees and more before that. I cannot fathom where the money is coming from.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire on BBC Radio 5 Live discussing how Manchester United can afford the stadium build:

It can be done. Tottenham borrowed a huge sum of money to fund their new stadium, but they have tripled their matchday and commercial income.

It will be a multi-functional stadium and will more than outweigh the additional interest costs.

Part of the payment will have to come through shares or some form of equity payment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe himself.

United successfully dealt with the takeover in 2005 and their interest charges went initially over £100m-a-year and that was when United were a far smaller operation.

My big fear is that some of those costs will be used to put up prices for fans, especially season-ticket holders.

We asked for your views on Manchester United's plans for a new stadium.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: The concept stadium plans look amazing, as part of wider regeneration of the whole area I'm fully supportive. With the state of the club at the moment however, I'll believe it when I actually see it!

Dave: Looks silly! All for a new stadium but that looks like a circus tent!! Very disappointed!

Steven: It's a smack in the face to the hundreds of people who have lost jobs in the recent cuts. But on a sporting front, I am pleased we will finally have a new ground fitting of the club's history. I just hope that in the five years projected for the build we can put together a team worthy of playing in such arenas.

Colin: Stadium looks fantastic- all they need now is to develop a quality team to play in it.

Jenny: Awful! The new stadium looks like Butlins!

John: Well that certainly brought tears to my eyes. At almost 68 years old, I pray that I get to see it. It would be a dream come true.

Simon: Old Trafford has been in need of something for a while, and as much as I love the stadium I don't feel like we're the same United anymore that played in there. That United was a sports team, this one is a business and this decision just reflects that.

Image source, FOSTER + PARTNERS

Lord Norman Foster, founder and executive chairman of architecture group Foster + Partners, says Manchester United's proposed stadium "is at the very heart of a new neighbourhood" in an area "steeped in history".

He explained: "It's welcoming, it's open, it's at the very heart of a new neighbourhood. And then it's part of the city of Manchester, the fastest growing city in the United Kingdom. A city again like no other.

"It's a powerhouse, steeped in history. Trafford Park was the industrial heartland of the nation, a heritage which I have personal connection to. My father was a factory worker at Metropolitan Vickers.

"And then the three masts, the trident, visible from 40kms, 200 metres high. So, this becomes a global destination.

"Normally a stadium would take 10 years to build, we halved that time - five years. How do we do that?

"By pre-fabrication, by using the network of Manchester ship canal, bring it back to a new life, shipping in components, 160 of them, Meccano-like.

"And then we rebuild the Old Trafford station and that becomes the pivot. The processional way to the stadium, welcoming at the heart of a new sport-led neighbourhood. It's walkable, it's well served by public transport. It's endowed by nature.

"It learns from the past, it creates streets, it's a mixed-use mini city. It's teamwork, it's the best brain, the civic leaders, the owners, the consultants, the engineers, the architects, the fans."

But the outlined plans do also create questions around ticket prices and fans being priced out, as well as the financial cost when the club is in such a difficult moment on and off the pitch.

A spokesperson for Manchester United Supporters Trust said: "We look forward to further consultation with supporters discussing these vital questions with the club.

"If they are able to produce a new stadium as stunning as the plans suggest without harming the atmosphere, without hiking ticket prices and without harming investment elsewhere, then this could be very exciting.

"But until the questions are answered, our optimism about plans to make Old Trafford the biggest and the best again will be restrained by caution about what the consequences for fans might be."

Image source, Foster + Partners

Manchester United have announced plans to build a new 100,000 seater stadium.

The club has announced its intent to work with the government on what it says will become the "centrepiece of the regeneration of the Old Trafford area".

The build is expected to cost in the region of £2bn.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, said: "Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world's greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford.

"Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home."

• What do you make of these concept images, United fans? Are you more optimistic about the new stadium or are you not convinced? Tell us here

Sir Alex Ferguson commented: "Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in. Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made."

Lord Norman Foster, founder and executive chairman of architecture group Foster + Partners, said: "This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance. It all starts with the fans' experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar. The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square. The outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature. It is a mixed-use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of."

Image source, Foster + Partners

BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club pundits discuss Sir Jim Ratcliffe's interview with the BBC's sports editor Dan Roan, in which he addresses the club's struggles on and off the pitch and repeated his pledge to deliver silverware by 2028.

"Fine, maybe don't supply your staff with free lunches, that's not a problem," says New York Times journalist Rory Smith.

"Don't pretend that makes the slightest difference when you want to spend £70m on a midfielder this summer.

"It's that, an element of cognitive dissonance that feels deliberate and feels cynical, and I think fans see straight through it."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

The BBC's sports editor Dan Roan sat down with Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe less than a day after fans marched to Old Trafford in protest against those leading the club, including majority owners the Glazer family.

• Read the interview here

• Listen to a Football Daily special on it here

Here are some extracts from the interview with Ratcliffe, who bought a stake in the club in 2024.

Is the challenge facing you greater than anticipated?

Ratcliffe: Yes, I mean the nature of the challenge is what we thought it would be. But the scale of it is probably slightly bigger. We are sort of in the moment in the process of change because United has obviously, since Sir Alex [Ferguson] retired, not performed at the level that has been expected of the club. There are reasons for that, clearly. Unless you want that to continue there has to be a period of change. We are in the middle of a period of change at the moment. Nobody likes change, it's uncomfortable, and we are in the midst of it.

Do you accept you have contributed to the predicament the club finds itself in?

Ratcliffe: We are not perfect, and we are on a journey, and there have been a couple of errors along the way, but I think in the main all the things we are doing are the right things for the club. And the club's going to finish up in a very very different place in three years' time to where its been in the past, in my view. I think it will become the most profitable club in the world. In three years' time Manchester United will be. That will be my prediction for Manchester United – it will be the most profitable club in the world. I think we may well finish up with the most iconic football stadium in the world, and I think we will finish up winning silverware again.

How close was the club to being bust?

Ratcliffe: It's a simple equation. If you spend more than you earn eventually that's the road to ruin. So for the last seven seasons, if you include this season, the club would have lost money. Seven consecutive seasons. I think that totals about £330m, so about a third of a billion of cash that's gone out of the club in the last four or five seasons. The costs of running the club in the last seven years have increased by £100m. The cost of the player wage bill in the last seven years or so is £100m. The increase in the revenue during that period is £100m. And that sum doesn't work. If you are losing money every year, and at the same time you are increasing your costs of running the club, it doesn't work and it ends in trouble. And that's where this club would have finished up at the end of this year. All of the things that we are doing are essential, are necessary to the club. They are not easy things to do, but we'll get through that process and we will come out of the other side in the summer. Some of that is all finished and done with now.

Some would say the money you will make from ticket price increases is dwarfed by the debt payments as a result of the debt the club is saddled with.

Ratcliffe: I understand the comment, but the issue isn't really the debt. The issue is we are spending more than we are…if you spend 100 million more than earning every year then that dwarfs [interrupted].

Tens of millions of pounds go out of the club to service that debt.

Ratcliffe: It's about 35. But the 35 was only 20 four or five years ago because the club hadn't lost £330m in the last five years. So if you lose £330m in five years the debt goes up by £330m. That's the biggest issue in Manchester United. I know the interest costs money, but in the great scheme of things our salary bill for the players is £250m a year, you know. So interest is one of the costs but it isn't the biggest cost in this club. And the club needs to get its house back into order so it's on a good financial footing for the future, and can survive years maybe where it's not as successful as other years and doesn't get Champions League.

Chelsea are preparing to step up their pursuit of Manchester United's England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 19, as doubts grow over the long-term fitness of the Blues' Belgium midfielder Romeo Lavia, 21. (CaughtOffside), external

Manchester United are considering a summer move for Porto's 20-year-old Spain forward Samu Aghehowa, who has a release clause of about £84m. (GiveMeSport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your views on the comments of Sir Jim Ratcliffe in his interview with BBC sports editor Dan Roan on Monday.

He said some players are "not good enough" and some are "overpaid".

Here are some of your comments:

Jeff: Ratcliffe is correct. United are suffering from the hangover of years of Glazer ownership, saddling United with their debt and 10 years of mismanagement by Ed Woodward when they overpaird for players and gave long contracts on exorbitant wages. Amorim has a hard job to do and will need full backing of the board. Some players will need to be gone in the summer - Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Luke Shaw, Christian Eriksen, and possibly Rasmus Hojlund who has failed through no fault of his own. Centre forwards don't score when starved of service from the wings.

Christine: Ratcliffe's thoughts are honest and truthful about where the club is and running out of funds. Ralf Rangnick said it is how it is and he got out quickly. The club has ran on such a toxic culture on and off the pitch that not only would we have had not good enough players on more money than they should be, the club would be bankrupt by the end of this year. Why do you think the Glazers sold to Ineos to get United out of this mess? Open heart surgery is taking place to save United.

John: Give the manager time. I think they should keep giving the academy players more playing time and get rid of the deadwood. I never got free meals in my job so I think Ratcliffe is right. In time and with some hard decisions and investment in young players, I think the future will hopefully get better.

Geoff: Cannot disagree with anything he said other than -the psychological impact of replacing the Glazers would be hugely beneficial.

Steve: In my view, the Manchester United owners are not good enough and overpaid - and they diminish rather than improve the young men they employ. They demonstrate that it is possible to exploit some when paying them too much and others by paying them peanuts. I'm out after 68 years.

Anthony: For me, it's obvious that he has to produce a financial reward to his investors by the next financial year. The redundancies and charging staff in the canteen will have minimal financial gain for the club. His claim 'Manchester United will be broke by Christmas' if changes are not made is, in my view, rubbish. They are the most supported and most famous football club in the world. I partially agree with him saying that some of the players aren't good enough'. They should be, but only twice throughout this whole season, have they actually put a decent shift in against Liverpool and Arsenal. The solution is a clearout at the end of the season.

Jim: Run out of money? What a lot of absolute tosh.

Paul: The only question you needed to ask Sir Jim was: "What makes you think you are the man to turn Manchester United back into winners?" Going on a tour to tell everyone all the mistakes you've made isn't exactly going to inspire confidence.

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

"Every single time he comes out, he makes it worse."

That is the view of Tom Mortimer from Manchester United fan podcast No Question About That after hearing Sir Jim Ratcliffe's interview with BBC Sport on Monday.

The United co-owner spoke to the BBC's sport editor Dan Roan, described some of the players as "not good enough" and discussed the club's financial situation.

"That was uncomfortable - really uncomfortable to listen to," Mortimer told the BBC's Sportsday programme. "He's been in the job for just over a year now and he's been a terrible PR man, and a terrible spokesman. This isn't his remit, and I don't understand why he keeps being the voice of Manchester United.

"There's a reason why United fans are chanting very bad things about him, to put it lightly. There's a lot of condescension, patronisation, and dehumanisation. There were always going to be difficult decisions for him to make, but I think it's the way you go about it.

"Share your vision, and talk about it, and if you do that in a respectful manner you might get the fans onside. If the vision you were painting for the fans was clear to see then I could understand, but he's not a good spokesperson, and every single time he comes out it makes things worse."

Asked if he had any sympathy for the situation Ratcliffe inherited when he joined the unpopular Glazer family in owning the club, Mortimer accepted it was a difficult situation.

"A little bit, because of the task he's having to take over," he said. "The Glazers have run the club into the ground for the last 20 years. We saw vast protests at the weekend, but these have been going on since the Glazers took over. It's not like we're 15th in the league now and this is the first time this has happened.

"This situation that United is in has been a long time coming, and Ratcliffe has to deal with all the chaos and the mess that exists at the club."

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not the most popular man at Old Trafford right now - among some staff just as much as some fans.

That was made abundantly clear when the Manchester United fans who marched to the Arsenal match in protest against the Glazer family also made sure to namecheck him in expletive chants on Sunday.

So I might be in the minority when I say Ratcliffe's latest public address is, again, refreshing after years of silence from the Glazers.

I may also be called naive for finding a sense of comfort from an authority figure explaining why he has sanctioned unpopular decisions after relentless reports have intensified the doom and gloom.

I do not agree with all the cost-cutting measures he has put in place. In fact, I strongly disagree with some. But this hopeful fan also understands why they are necessary.

"The simple answer is the club runs out of money at Christmas if we don't do those things," says Ratcliffe. That's factoring in the hundreds of millions he injected as part of his investment.

Ratcliffe's regime has not had a perfect first year by any stretch. He admitted to mistakes - notably regarding Dan Ashworth and Erik ten Hag - and apologised for them.

Sentiment towards the Ineos kingpin and his new-look United hierarchy is based on trust, because the future of the club is in their hands.

While respecting why others would not, and stressing my sympathy for those who have been directly affected by the Glazers' mismanagement, I do trust Ratcliffe and his ultimate ambition.

"My only interest here is returning Manchester United back to greatness again."

Those are words any United supporter starved of success and tired of mediocrity should be able to get behind.

Find more from Alex Turk at Stretford Paddock, external

Read Ratcliffe's full interview with the BBC

Tell us over here

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given Ruben Amorim his unwavering backing.

He told BBC sports editor Dan Roan that "a long list of injuries" had hampered a coach who arrived mid-season into a tough league and with English as his second language.

"If I actually look at the squad which is available to Ruben, I think he is doing a really good job to be honest," Ratcliffe said. "I think Ruben is an outstanding young manager. I really do. He's an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time.

"You are beginning to see a glimpse of what Ruben can produce. I think you saw a glimpse of it against Arsenal. How many players against Arsenal on the bench did you recognise? How many have ever worn a Manchester United shirt for [the first team]… as there's no squad left.

"We are down to the last 10 or 11 men in the squad really, of proper first-team players. Ruben is doing a super job."

He also praised Amorim for attempting to put his stamp on the squad - England forward Marcus Rashford was sent on loan to Aston Villa after it became clear he was not part of the new manager's plans.

Ratcliffe said Amorim will have money to spend in the summer - despite the financial issues at the club.

"Obviously that budget changes but upon who we may choose to sell because that would supplement the budget."

He also stressed young talents such as midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and winger Alejandro Garnacho would not be up for sale just to bring in finances.

"No no. We won't be selling players because of the state we are in financially," he said.

"The club had got bloated so we reduced that and will finish it with a lean and efficient organisation. That's how we will address the costs. The player decisions will all be focused on how we are going to improve performance. That's all."

Read the full interview over here

Image source, Getty Images

Sir Jim Ratcliffe says some Manchester United players are "not good enough" and some are "overpaid".

In a wide-ranging interview with BBC sports editor Dan Roan on Monday, he addressed the side's struggles on the pitch and talked about the financial difficulties.

You can read that over here

But what did you make of his comments?

Are you feeling optimistic about United's future or do you agree with the thousands who protested outside Old Trafford on Sunday?

Send us your thoughts

On the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate, Gaz and Joe reflect on Manchester United's draw with Arsenal.

They also look ahead to the season-defining Europa League second leg with Real Sociedad on Thursday.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Manchester United fans

Leon: Ruben Amorin got his tactics correct and every member of the team played well. However, it told us that we needed a striker without telling us we need a striker.

Ian: They all put in a shift and we had a shape and a plan. Ayden Heaven looks a good prospect while Rasmus Hojllund is just not up to it. Time to give Chido Obi more minutes. Let's see what happens Thursday.

Joe: I can't believe I'm saying this but Arsenal were lucky to escape with a point. We weren't great but at least we showed some bite in the second half. I am still not sure whether Hojlund is not good enough, or he is just unlucky. David Raya made the difference. We need to carry this belief forward to Thursday.

Simon: The second half was much better, but I wish I knew the reason why they lack so much confidence, especially at the start of every game.

Steven: In the end, I am disappointed to draw the game. First half was forgettable, but the second half was much improved. Through all of this season's negative vibes, I feel the promise Heaven has is exceptional. Also, Matthijs de Ligt is putting in some very solid performances at the minute which are going under the radar. Overall, a happy weekend.

Arsenal fans

Terry: Once again the defence and midfield saved the day. Lacking quality in the final third is continuing to plague this side. No good pointing the finger as it is the same old story. We got the goal that was deserved to get the draw, but as we know the title has gone.

Nihal: Story of our season - no end product. Without David Raya it could've easily been three and he saved us in the end. We try in the Champions League and we will go again next season. Hopefully attacking signings in the summer.

Steven: Just shows how far we are away from winning this league as we cannot seem to beat the worst Manchester United side ever. It is difficult to sit and watch when we know how good they can actually be, but we have no consistency.

Amarachi: This was a typical Arsenal performance - when the going gets tough, we seem to crumble. United seem to raise their game when they play us. Good effort from Arsenal, but not buying a forward in four transfer windows has cost us.

Eddie: Well below our true level. Not for the first time - but we need a decent front runner.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has backed fellow countryman Rasmus Hojlund to hit the scoring trail again.

Hojlund has struggled badly this season, both before and after Ruben Amorim's arrival at United as head coach.

The Denmark international has scored seven goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, five of which came in the Europa League.

His last league goal came against Nottingham Forest on 7 December. Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal was Hojlund's 13th league outing without a goal.

Hojlund's best chance came when he latched onto Mikel Merino's stray pass on the edge of the Arsenal box. But the striker took too long to shoot, which allowed Declan Rice to slide in and rob him of the opportunity.

It was not the kind of return United expected, even though they knew they were buying promise when the spent £72m to buy Hojlund from Serie A side Atalanta in 2023.

But Eriksen does not feel Hojlund should carry all United's scoring burden. And he is convinced the 22-year-old will return to top form.

"It's not him. There's a lot of players on the pitch, me included, that should score more goals," said Eriksen.

"But he's a striker, he lives for goals and tries to score them. He's in these situations. Now it's about getting the belief of scoring.

"He's a hard working guy who tries his best and wants the best for the team. At some point it will click and it will go the other way."

One of the bright spots from Manchester United's 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday was the performance of teenage defender Ayden Heaven.

The 18-year-old came off the bench at half-time in place of Leny Yoro to make his Premier League debut - against the club he left during the recent transfer window.

Heaven, who is yet to start a senior game and had previously made only two substitute appearances, slotted in well on the left side of United's central-defensive trio alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof - although the hosts were unable to hold on to their half-time lead.

Chido Obi, who also joined United from Arsenal during the mid-season window, has seen slightly more action since moving to Old Trafford but the striker was an unused substitute against his former club.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Thousands of Manchester United fans joined the biggest anti-ownership protest since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took a near 30% stake in the club before Sunday afternoon's Premier League fixture with Arsenal.

Supporters joined the march to the stadium along the near mile long route.

Numerous flares were set off as fans sang against the Glazer family and Ratcliffe, with reference made to the recent £66 ticket price rise.

Banners saying "we want our club back" and "£1bn 'stolen", referring to the amount spent on servicing the debt loaded onto United when the Glazer family bought the club in 2005, were carried.

The noisy protest arrived at Old Trafford at just after 4pm, then made its way under the Munich tunnel.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images