Then came the concrete plan to leave Old Trafford and build the world’s largest and most spectacular stadium. When United owners Glazer and Ratcliffe come to Old Trafford, they “come to visit”. Supporters who have invested hundreds, thousands of hours in the stands – over generations – feel this is their second home. When Ratcliffe opens the doors to the “new Wembley in the north” to 100,000 in a few years’ time, the new United boss ensures that he is the one who “owns” the stadium, where supporters can buy a seat with the rest of United supporters around the world. Are we seeing English cultural history being broken down, or preservation and continuation?
There is optimism about the new plans, but also strong concern from the local supporters in Manchester. The supporters’ group Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has posted its response to the stadium plan with big questions.
“The investments are necessary and welcome, but we fans are still worried about what it means and what consequences it will have. Will it force ticket prices up and thus force the local fans out? Will it damage the atmosphere, which is consistently the fans’ top priority in the stadium?, writes the supporters’ group.
-Will it increase the debt burden that has held the club back for the past two decades? Will it lead to less investment in the squad at a time when it is desperately needed?, it is further asked.
-If they manage to create a new stadium that is as fantastic as the plans indicate, without damaging the atmosphere, without raising ticket prices and without damaging investments elsewhere, then it can be very exciting. But until these questions are answered, our optimism about the plans to make Old Trafford the biggest and best again will be tempered by caution about the implications for fans,” the MUST statement reads.
