Manchester United supporters have criticized an “overly optimistic” element in the designs for their proposed 100,000-capacity stadium.
The club recently revealed impressive images of the £2 billion project, dubbed the “Wembley of the North,” which is intended to replace Old Trafford.
The new stadium will boast an umbrella-like structure and a public plaza twice the size of Trafalgar Square.
Foster and Partners, the architects, confirmed the “umbrella” will be supported by three towers and feature a sweeping glass and steel canopy, providing shelter for fans both inside and outside the venue.
Manchester United has optimistically projected a five-year timeline for the stadium’s completion.
However, fans have noticed a minor detail in the computer-generated images that they find even more far-fetched.
A massive wraparound scoreboard above the stands displays a 3-0 scoreline in favor of United.
Supporters are skeptical about the scoreline’s likelihood, considering the club’s current dismal season, where they are positioned 14th in the Premier League.
One fan humorously commented that assuming a 3-0 home victory is the most audacious aspect of the new stadium venture.
Another fan sarcastically remarked on the unlikelihood of a 3-0 lead, referencing the period since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
The ambitious stadium plans are part of a larger government-supported revitalization of the Trafford Park area.
The development includes a grand approach to the stadium, reminiscent of Wembley Way, featuring a three-story museum and canal-side retail and dining options within a large fan park.
The project aims to construct around 17,000 residences, transforming the area into a vibrant hub and generating 92,000 employment opportunities.
Architect Lord Foster described the stadium’s design, highlighting a vast umbrella structure that collects energy and rainwater, sheltering a public plaza twice the size of Trafalgar Square.
He envisioned the stadium as the centerpiece of a sustainable, pedestrian-friendly district with excellent public transport links and abundant green spaces.
Foster emphasized the project’s ambition to create a mixed-use, miniature city of the future, driving growth and becoming a global destination of pride for Manchester.
To realize these designs, the current Old Trafford stadium will be demolished.
This decision was made by the Regeneration Task Force, led by Lord Coe and including Gary Neville and mayor Andy Burnham.
Despite Manchester United’s current £1 billion debt, the funding plan for the new stadium remains unclear.
Marcus Bellamy