Trafford Council confirm ‘exciting plans’ that could help Man Utd with Old Trafford stadium move

Trafford Council have announced ‘exciting and ambitious plans’ that concern Manchester United and their aims to possibly build of a new stadium.

Reports last week suggested the club are looking to create a new ground on land currently owned around Old Trafford, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s aim to create a ‘Wembley of the North’. Erik ten Hag claimed such plans match the ‘ambitions’ of United, while Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has said he 'will support whatever the club wants to do'.

And on Friday, any potential plans took a step forward as Trafford council announced their draft Trafford Wharfside masterplan, which will see the regeneration of five areas, including the development of ‘a world-class football stadium’ for United.

Those plans are in the draft stage at present and will be ‘will be discussed by Trafford Councillors at its Executive meeting later this month’. The public will also be invited to give their views on the strategy.

Discussions on the Trafford Wharfside masterplan have already began with United, as well as other landowners Peel and Salford City Council, with the aim to turn Trafford Wharfside into an emerging neighbourhood over the next 15 years, which includes ‘an area of well-connected communities where all amenities, landmarks and public spaces are easily accessed’.

Collette Roche, Chief Operating Officer at Manchester United, said: “This vision for Trafford Wharfside is tremendously exciting and we are proud to be supporting Trafford Council with their ambitious plans for an area with such huge potential.

“We will continue to work closely with the council, and other local stakeholders, on how any future development work at Old Trafford can complement their vision and, most importantly, benefit the local community.”

The Trafford Wharfside masterplan is being led by Trafford Council and is believed to be independent of United’s stadium development project. However, the council’s project evidently matches United's ambitions and creates the opportunity for some kind of collaborative approach regarding the club's stadium.

ManchesterWorld understands that United have not committed to any stadium plans at this stage, and the redevelopment of Old Trafford remains a possibility, along with the creation of a ground.