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Manchester United has officially announced that the legendary architect Sir Norman Foster will be at the helm of the masterplan for Old Trafford and the surrounding club-owned land. This exciting news backs up Mail Sport’s earlier scoop that Foster + Partners would be taking on this prestigious project, which could lead to a shiny new stadium!
Sir Norman Foster, an award-winning British architect, is famous for his iconic designs, including the new Wembley Stadium and the renovation of Germany’s Reichstag. Now, he’s set to sprinkle his visionary magic on the future of Old Trafford.
United is expected to make a call later this year on whether to completely rebuild Old Trafford or give it a facelift. A full rebuild is likely to cost at least £2 billion. As the founder and executive chairman of Foster + Partners, Foster shared his excitement on Manchester United’s official website, saying: “As a proud Mancunian, I am passionate about the chance to rebuild on Manchester’s great industrial heritage, creating a vibrant new mixed-use community, served by highly sustainable and improved transport links, providing homes and jobs for the local community, all catalyzed by a world-class stadium for the world’s most famous football team – Manchester United.”
Born in nearby Reddish and raised in Levenshulme, just a stone’s throw from Old Trafford, Foster’s deep connection to Manchester makes this project even more special. Plus, his friendship with Jim Ratcliffe and knack for blending large-scale projects with urban areas really sealed the deal for this ambitious development.
United’s vision for the new stadium goes beyond just football. The club wants to create a hub that links Old Trafford to MediaCity, the Manchester Ship Canal, and the Old Trafford cricket ground. This grand regeneration plan aims to turn the area into a lively spot for entertainment, leisure, and homes, while giving fans an unforgettable matchday experience.
Foster might whip up a state-of-the-art 100,000-capacity stadium or oversee a major makeover of the current venue. Initially, it was thought that architectural firm Populous, which teamed up with Foster on projects like Tottenham’s new stadium and the Lusail Stadium for the Qatar World Cup, would snag the job. However, Foster + Partners has already been involved with Manchester United’s £50 million revamp of their Carrington training complex, putting them in a prime position for this bigger task.
Collette Roche, Manchester United’s chief operating officer, explained the decision, saying, “We have a clear vision to transform and revitalize the club-owned land around Old Trafford, and we know that Foster + Partners is the best partner to help us develop the plans. This area of Greater Manchester is ready for major new investment, and we are determined to help deliver those outcomes.”
As part of these transformative plans, United might ultimately decide to bulldoze their 114-year-old home and replace it with a new £2 billion “Wembley of the North.” This would mean bidding farewell to Old Trafford, a stadium steeped in history and sentimental value for fans around the globe, especially with its memorials to the 1958 Munich air disaster and statues of legends like Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, and the United Trinity.
But don’t worry, Manchester United is all about preserving the club’s heritage. A heritage focus group will be set up to make sure that key historical elements of Old Trafford are respected, even if the club decides to go ahead with a new stadium.
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