Old Trafford: Renovate or rebuild? Manchester United fans have their say

Pesky rodents, overflowing toilets and a leaky roof - the contenders for the keys to Old Trafford face a litany of challenges but getting the Theatre of Dreams to sing again may prove the most challenging.
Manchester United on a match day is a curious paradox; the club’s 113-year old home a citadel for 73,511 supporters to live vicariously through their heroes yet it’s a place of creaking fallibility. Sepia-tinged reminders of former glories, ageing facades, cramped concourses and dodgy phone reception. Old Trafford’s decay mirrors the stagnation in these post-Ferguson years and offers a stark reminder that the Glazer family have stood still while rivals have either updated their homes or moved to a new stadium. Memo to Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani or Sir Jim Ratcliffe: you're going to need to dig deep here, and it'll take more than a lick of paint to liven the place up.
#manutd #oldtrafford #manchesterunited
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[@sharkr3283]

New stadium is absolutely necessary,its more than a century old foundation and how could they renovate it on top of it again and again? It would need a renovation again in 7-8 yrs if theres an issue. I'm a matchgoing fan and season ticket holder,new stadium is needed. I'd like if OT is preserved alongside the new stadium and used for women's and academy teams.

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

Typical young person OMG IT'S SOO OLD No kiddo it's called Class and heritage something modern stadiums don't have

[@sharkr3283]

@@kurtpunchesthings2411 The stadium is rotting bozo. Sentimental fools. Even san siro is getting a renovation!

[@MRLONG758]

​@kurtpunchesthings2411 camp nou is just as old, it's practically being rebuild. Old trafford hasn't seen renovations or upgrades in god knows how long, it's falling apart for God's sake.

[@hermes1873]

I say build a new stadium but keep the iconic entrance and brick-walled dugouts... also a jumbo screen ffs

[@adamaston1460]

Manchester United have to be the best in every aspect including stadium / training facilities

[@ericksonnyongesa7586]

This club is for the future so rebuild is necessary

[@pliosaw]

Its an old stadium, but it such an iconic one. I've never been and not even a United fan, but they could knock it down and rebuild it the exact same except make it 3% bigger to account for legroom and overall moving/walking space.

[@owenthompson4450]

the reason that is a problem is because right behind the stadium there is a railway which hinders any amount of work that can actually happen tbh imo a new stadium is a need or a massive scale upgrade like Nou Camp, the only difference is Barcelona have the space to do those big updates Old Trafford doesn't

[@SyedShah-ox3ke]

As someone who goes every other week, I would say a new stadium. But then again I'm not an architect, but would love to see how the issues surrounding cramp seating, facilities, and all the millions of issues are sorted without a new stadium. Preferably a whole renovation of Old Trafford if possible, but I'm not sure. Just think it's time for a new era and everything with it

[@leegould8743]

New stadium that blows everyone away

[@marviwilson1853]

Including any budget! Manchester United are already £1Billion in debt!!!

[@GutzOverFear]

If there is a new Stadium I am gonna miss that Corner entrance tunnel and dugout areas. Such unique details I doubt we'll see again.

[@Krx5h_]

if they do rebuild i hope they add that corner entrance tunnel because that is so iconic to united

[@wrathoflichking9603]

Built a new stadium but still name it as old Trafford.

[@geeb9668]

That is the thing for me. It has to be Old Trafford.

[@lodynemark]

Name it Theatre of Dreams

[@KJ_2020]

Old Trafford is the name of that area from which the stadium got its name. So if a new stadium was built there it is still in Old Trafford

[@markymark7803]

We need the best and biggest stadium in the UK and Europe. Needs a complete rebuild.

[@CodeCritters]

knocking down and rebuilding a new stadium would cost 3 billion in itself

[@markymark7803]

@@CodeCritters They have the money

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

@@markymark7803 yes we have the money that's why we need to renovate the Stadium " best Stadium in Europe " who the f*** cares what the Europeans think this is our home the only people that have a valid opinion on Old Trafford is our fans and I will always believe the majority of our people Want our stadium to be renovated we just need to show them it is possible and it can and will be done

[@markymark7803]

@@kurtpunchesthings2411 Well we are Europeans but we need stadium to be the best and most prestige for the club. Old Trafford is done. Forget about renovations. It needs a total brand new build.

[@ravd8082]

@@CodeCritters do what real madrid did build on existing infrastructure kept the Bernbeau

[@enochfallahngainda775]

We need 130 or150 thousands seaters stadium at old Trafford.

[@kiddo1069]

Building a new 100.000 seater stadium will benefit the club I have been at united. And we are being left in the past our history passion all the cups won and lost the Busby Babes will never die I would like to think all who has played in that great stadium will look and say we have progress under knew management.

[@garyverth4887]

They should try to re build in a similar shape. Not a plain bowl. Cannot lose the character. I almost thought Arsenal should have built a bigger newer version of Highbury

[@yohannesmisikir7056]

Exactly these new stadium designs are awful.

[@MisterO98]

Whatever they end up doing, they need to make sure that there are big jumbo screens on all four corners of the stadium. It's absolutely pathetic that a club like Manchester United has no jumbo screen in the stadium. It's just mad.

[@StretfordEnder145]

Rebuild all day long. The stadium in parts are OK but I've never liked the roof. We are the world's biggest club and we should have the best facilities. We need 100k. Qatar will want the best. Look at surrounding areas its stuck in the past. We need to look to a exciting future.

[@gabriellepaese9580]

Great reporting Alex! 🙂

[@goodhope3784]

Old Trafford has a special soul and spirit for itself. Whatever is done with it, make sure its soul and spirit stays in it. Never make a brand new one that kills the tradition, memories, nostalgia and soul of the stadium.

[@Michaelkaydee]

So did Wembley

[@ramzino5968]

I love Old Trafford but it needs to be knocked down and rebuilt. Man United need a state of the art stadium.

[@NeilAC78]

And basically kill the soul and atmosphere while your at it for the sake of some shiny new facilities. No thanks, renovate is the way.

[@ramzino5968]

@@NeilAC78 then renovate it again in a few years ? Then again a few years later ? Makes no sense at all

[@tomwalsh6774]

As someone who goes to OT week in week out, there is not a lot wrong with it - cramped seats, bad phone reception... facilities not fantastic. However, the main problem with the stadium is that is has fallen behind other stadiums and being Manchester United, we have to have the best of the best which unfortunately OT isnt.

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

Cramped seats 🤣 does your majestic want a gold plated royal throne to sit on its a football stadium the seats are supposed to be cramped

[@SuperRijul]

Glazers Out 🔰🔰🔰🔰

[@Zadrach9]

Renovation From United Indonesia 🇲🇨

[@BuffaloZx]

Can someone explain what exactly is wrong with the stadium?

[@thomaslehane]

It has been underfunded for a long time, Leaks and rats, are a problem, WiFi coverage is poor. It's hard to expand as part of it runs over a railway if I'm not mistaken, and seating is narrow to fit more in. Would require a large amount of money in order to bring it to next level standards Hope that this helps

[@opinionunpopular]

@@thomaslehane Also Roofs leaking, paint coming off the walls and basically decades behind the other big stadiums in World Football.

[@KJ_2020]

Nothing is wrong with it apart from some tiny issues that could be fixed in a few weeks, but the modern fans want the resort experience so they're using the minor issues as an excuse to knock it down.

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

@@KJ_2020 100% some really stupid people who think ewwwww old stadium automatically means bad build a new one yea there's issues with the stadium this is all fixable everything wrong with this stadium can be renovated away get a nice little expansion as well while keeping within the aesthetic of OldTrafford

[@SuperKillaki]

From an architectural perspective (I have been one for 20+ designing commercial buildings in London) a new stadium would be easier. However, renovation is a strong possibility. The Real Madrid model is certainly an option.

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

Idc what's easier to do that's a lazy way to solve a problem when your a club with as much history and money as ours we can make old Trafford Great again just like we did after the Bombs fell 😔 but we rose from the ashes and saved our homeland and now many decades later a new challenge will be overcome by our great and historic club

[@shawncroft5000]

Renovate? So u need to renovate again in some years? Makes no sense.. history remains even if u knock it down.. that’s nonsense to say the history goes away.. build it in the same spot

[@nicolavallely8076]

Needs upgrading,more leg room,better food concourses as well,been to old Trafford twice ,need updating disabled facilities and to improve the surrounding areas as well

[@skyelineblue]

Wait a couple of years to knock it down. Once I’ve visit it go ahead and knock it down. Build state of the art stadium.

[@phyowaitun292]

I want to see rebuild. Capacity is 100000 seat of people. Latest and greatest brand new stadium. Current stadium is too old and out of date.

[@rajeshkalia2656]

How about a building a 200,000 super-stadium that is the biggest club stadium in the whole wide world...that's if we can find that extra space somewhere in the Trafford area? We could a build a state-of-the-art brand new Old Trafford not far from the current stadium site right now and while the new stadium is being built, we can still use the current stadium and not lose any match day revenue with a reduced attendance capacity. Just renovating the current ground by putting a coat of fresh paint around the ground and adding a few extra new seats is simply just a waste of money, poor forward-thinking, a step backwards, not a logical solution, is a lack of vision and just not being ambitious enough as in a few years time, a lot of rival premier league clubs will soon reach the 70,000 mark and eventually overtake this capacity in the not too distant future. Rival clubs are already building far superior ultra-modern, futuristic and technologically advanced, state-of-the-art and breath-taking football arenas which makes Old Trafford look a disused warehouse or derelict factory on an industrial estate. If we really want to stay ahead of our rivals in terms of bigger and superior capacity, infrastructure, ambition, facilities, good management and a better vision for the future, then we really need to build a brand new stadium with all the latest modern facilities and features that only the very modern stadiums around the world. Its a no-brainer and look at what a super-sized stadium can do for the club as a whole....a huge unrivalled increase in match day tickets sales and a revenue far superior than all our rivals in the UK and all over the world!!! Old Trafford has come to the end of its natural life and we need to realise that now before it too late.

[@bryngefferies7530]

Man Utd's Old Trafford stadium that a bit if TLC won't cure. All it needs is the Upgrade of the Sir Bobby Charlton's Stand with a 2nd tier to complete the original design & the removal of the 3rd tier of the Sir Alex Ferguson's Stand & replaced by Tv screens for all 4 corners. We also want a levelled new Roof + modern refurbishment of the rest of the stadium to warrant a 90K capacity in comfort. SBCS 25K + SAFS 25K + SES 20K + ES 20K = 90K. The expansion should not exceed the rail track. Old Trafford known as 'The Theatre of Dreams' unique in style, is the Super Bowl of stadiums & is potentially The best Stadium in the country possibly the world.

[@joshuagovi]

Build a new one

[@dingostar23]

New stadium Only

[@IrishPride7]

Turn Old Trafford into a museum then build new Trafford not far from it

[@jcgaming908]

That would be a very expensive museum,nah its time to move into the future,tear it down and rebuild.

[@barbarohelm9697]

Build a new 95k staduim but not with the glazers there ..

[@willwud]

Build a new 1 ffs

[@MattheusCruzYT]

Massive expansion and massive renovation! But please preserve the history and some of the architecture. Some of Old Trafford's architectural features are absolutely beautiful and already match our club's identity. A totally modernist facade like Santiago Bernabeu or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would not match Old Trafford. I don't need to explain myself, a good firm will understand. In terms of capacity all the clubs in the league are fastly approaching the 70k mark and I am sure some or many will eventually do bigger. 90k Old Trafford is not enough. Camp Nou sits 99k and I would only be satisfied with 100k capacity at Old Trafford. Do it now instead of having to increase ten, twenty years in the future.

[@kennethirungu7840]

Renovate but if the price of rebuild is as close to renovating the stadium then go all out for a new one...

[@RandomnessTube.]

Renovate it there are still parts of the old tunnel from the 60s in that stadium any United fan that says knock it down are not United fans Liverpool did it with Anfield we can do it too.

[@mickser101]

Renovate. Knock the South Stand and Build over the Railway line and fully enclose the Stadium with 2 Tiers. Then take out all the seats and replace them with bigger and wider ones. After that by mid Century they'll need a brand new Stadium

[@suthiraphanassarat8669]

Brand new stadium for Man Utd's men team but the old one renovated for women's & youth teams?

[@KJ_2020]

Yeah all they'd need to do is remove about 70,000 seats and it'd be perfect for the women

[@CodeCritters]

'its easier to knock it down because renovation will be too iggledy piggledy'. Sorry what?

[@TheJaayys]

New stadium. Bin the sentimantality. If United are the biggest and the best club in the world, they need to act like one. Arsenal and Tottenham having better stadiums in their own country is laughable. Plenty of history and tradition can be preserved as well, like what the London clubs have done. Don't look at it as and ending, look at it as an evolution

[@KJ_2020]

The Emirates is atrocious.

[@Redforever369]

Rebuild. Simple!

[@waqarkayani23]

Get over this Bs about tradition we have traditionally fallen behind and need a new stadium!

[@harsha10190]

Renovate. Please don't make it look like a toilet bowl used by old people like the rumored renders.

[@alexwilliams1680]

Can’t believe that lads complaining about phone signal, get off your phone and enjoy the game ffs

[@KJ_2020]

Modern fans ain't it. They should go support Spurs if they want the stadium to distract them from the game

[@AliHussein-sf3ij]

Build a new stadium move on from the past. Old trafford is outdated and falling apart thanks to the glazers poor neglect😢😢😢

[@feralpleasures4767]

Rebuild

[@barrygreene007]

He looks like Malcolm in the middle.

[@ezammd]

rrenovate pls.....i've never been to old trafford.. and i wanna experience old trafford in the future

[@blitz8702]

rebuild create jobs

[@Michaelkaydee]

Needs a rebuild... keep a couple of the old school element but renovation isn't the answer

[@welshhibby]

Not one person from Manchester interviewed !! Its clear most people from Manchester support City.

[@ciaranjamiesonfamily-frien5144]

Mate we’re just a bigger club, when fergie won the treble 750,000 people rushed into central to watch the champions of England, the UK and Europe. Citeh could never and will never

[@ericazu-xk4pf]

Cry more 😂.... Cooking finances and yet zero UCL and only 2 fans worldwide 😂

[@lillerb]

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[@segunkolawole4046]

Brand new stadium 🏟️ am done with this stadium, it’s rather old and ugly.

[@valikhan]

Renovate

[@adharshmd5100]

We want Qatari

[@David1991.]

Only foreign United fans want Qataris billionaire while British United fans want Jim because he is a United fan and debt free.

[@lillerb]

​@@David1991. With Jim United won't be debt free, unlike the Qataries. With Jim, what the Glazers started would continue. He wouldn't have the money for the many things that should be done, stadium, training center, other infrastructure, new players, etc. I don't think it's only fans outside of England who think so.

[@David1991.]

@@lillerb Real United fans are living in the United Kingdom while plastic United fans live in foreign countries. Qataris is the Glazers 2.0 aren't United fans.

[@heyboo_clara]

Renovate.

[@thesunshinehome]

knock it down all day - who cares about keeping old trafford

[@AmongUs-qt3uo]

Your mom does

[@bryngefferies7530]

We want an Expansion to a 90K approx. capacity, Modern refurbishment & a levelled new Roof There's an completed stadium design on WHF!🔰@UtdWesleyy with a comment stating: So apparently we are looking at an expansion of Old Trafford. It’s been talked about for years but put off because of the complications around the south section of the stadium but if we do manage to do it…🔴 2 Tier SBC Capacity: 88,000+ We're sure that can be achieved with minimal fuss by observation cos its already laid out going by our walk around the stadium experience. Worth a view, please share!

[@Tan92lfc]

7-0 to Liverpool

[@unelectedbureaucrat2003]

Your cup final and did great against real Madrid eh?

[@AmongUs-qt3uo]

7 points behind united now?

[@seansoraghan3245]

Build a new stadium Where their fans are London?

[@KingCharles3]

biggest club in the world mate

[@SamSmithSatanicWesternde-up9rl]

Old Trafford needs more rainbow flags 🌈 🏳️‍🌈

[@kevinbarrowclough668]

I thought that city and Newcastle already have these.changing different colou kits all the time aren't they?

[@ishadowmarshall282]

Rebuild

[@David1991.]

Grow up plastic United fan. Building a new stadium is a must.

[@AmongUs-qt3uo]

@@David1991. Thats what rebuild means

[@David1991.]

@@AmongUs-qt3uo Rebuilding and new building is two different things.