Man Utd Move Closer to Old Trafford Upgrading

‘Exciting’ plans to expand Old Trafford have moved a step closer, with Manchester United set to choose a master planner to oversee a widespread upgrade.

Sportsmail understands that while no figure has yet been signed off, the club are looking at a ‘sensible uplift’ from the current capacity of 74,140.

Officials say that they want to ensure the stadium remains consistently full, following what will be extensive work, but it is unlikely that any upgrade would see anything below 80,000.

United have been presented with a number of proposals and are close to choosing a blueprint for the famous stadium’s future.

They have held meetings with architectural and engineering companies and have described some of the potential ideas as ‘exciting’.

While talks are ongoing, and the selected plan will be refined, it can be disclosed that both general admission and corporate areas will be revamped and extended.

Many areas of the ground will be improved, with a number of new additions being considered.

For a number of years the presence of a railway line behind the South Stand has presented logistical expansion issues. However, advances in technology mean that is no longer the problem it was.

United have been presented with plans to increase the capacity of that stand which include options going up and over the top of the adjacent line.

It can also be revealed that the club have now appointed a master planner to oversee a revamp of their Carrington training complex, with the aim to turn it into one of the finest practice facilities in the word.

The proposals will also turn the complex into what chief operating officer Collette Roche told a fans forum would be ‘a fully integrated, three-group facility’ for their men’s, women’s and academy sides.

There had been concerns that United would have to temporarily leave Old Trafford while work is carried out but they now intend to stay at the same site.

Any work will be phased to lessen the impact on capacity, while the club are short of options in the nearby area which they believe would be big enough to host home matches.

No final decision has been made on budget or timescales but the club want to press on and say the ultimate aim is to improve fan experience.

The final design will need planning permission. United’s owners, the Glazer family, promised to invest in the stadium in the midst of protests from furious supporters who claimed it was being neglected under their watch.