Daily Mail: Manchester United Officially Appoint Foster + Partners to Design £2 Billion New Stadium

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United have officially appointed Foster + Partners to be responsible for the design work of the new stadium project, meaning the club's new stadium plan has taken another important step forward.

Manchester United plan to spend around £2 billion to build a new stadium with a capacity of 100,000 and turn it into the "Wembley of the North." Foster + Partners has been involved since the planning stage of the project, and its founder Lord Norman Foster is also a close friend of Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.

Following a recent update meeting held with the fans' forum, Manchester United confirmed that Foster + Partners have received the design commission. The project will now officially enter the stage of working with the design team to advance the new stadium design.

Previously, Manchester United faced criticism for not conducting a public tender for the Old Trafford renovation project, while the new stadium concept plan previously released by Foster + Partners also sparked controversy.

Ratcliffe previously explained why Manchester United ultimately chose to build a new stadium rather than renovate Old Trafford. He said that although Old Trafford has deep historical significance, the existing stands were built in different eras, the overall layout is relatively fragmented, issues such as roof leaks and aging infrastructure have existed for a long time, and the stadium's proximity to a railway limits the space available for fans entering and leaving.

Ratcliffe believes that if Old Trafford were renovated, the final cost could reach around 70% of the cost of building a new stadium. However, even after renovation, the stadium could still have many structural issues. Therefore, the club ultimately decided that instead of investing heavily in renovation, it would be better to directly build a completely new modern stadium.

According to Manchester United's vision, the new stadium will not only have a larger capacity and more efficient transport flows, but will also include supporting facilities such as a museum, shops, and fan areas around the stadium to further enhance the overall matchday experience.

Ratcliffe stressed that the new stadium does not mean Manchester United will abandon its traditions and history, and the club's culture and identity will continue to be preserved.