February 22 – New Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he wants to build a new stadium to replace Old Trafford where the club have played since 1910 – and make it a national venue.
Ratcliffe told the BBC that Old Trafford had become “tired and in need of refurbishment”.
“It’s about time someone built a national stadium in the north of England,” said the British billionaire.
Ratcliffe, who has a 27.7% stake in United after having his investment approved this week, added: “If it can be achieved, it would clearly be my preference.”
Old Trafford has not been chosen to host games at Euro 2028, and last staged a Champions League final in 2003 when AC Milan beat Juventus on penalties.
“There is quite a big argument, in my view, for regenerating that whole south side of Manchester. The nucleus of it would be building a new world-class state-of-the-art stadium which could take England games, the FA Cup final, Champions League finals. It could serve the north of England.”
“There is a bias in the UK in terms of where national stadiums have been built – they are all in the south. Why shouldn’t there be a venue in the north of England for England to play at? Why does everyone in the north have to go to the south for the semi-finals of the FA Cup?”
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