Andy Burnham has insisted that ‘not a penny’ of public money will be spent on Manchester United’s proposed 100,000-seater stadium.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester reiterated his stance after the Premier League giants outlined plans for a £2billion ‘New Trafford’ project earlier this year.
United unveiled the vision in March, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe suggesting that government funding could be considered for part of the scheme.
Ratcliffe argued that taxpayers in the north should have the same opportunity to support major sporting infrastructure as Londoners.
However, Burnham stressed that United would finance the stadium themselves, making clear that no taxpayer money would be used for its construction.
‘It’s not about giving them money because we have a really clear principle here at the start of this journey with the Mayoral Development Corporation,’ Burnham told The Added Time podcast.
Andy Burnham has insisted that ‘not a penny’ of public money will be spent on Manchester United ‘s proposed 100,000-seater stadium
The Premier League giants outlined plans for a £2billion ‘New Trafford’ project earlier this year
‘Manchester United will be paying for the stadium. There will not be a penny of public money going into that.’
According to reports, the club will finance the stadium privately but continue discussions over the wider infrastructure through the new Mayoral Development Corporation, which will oversee regeneration of the Old Trafford area.
Mail Sport reported last month that United are still negotiating with Freightliner over a crucial plot of land behind the Stretford End which forms part of the proposed site.
The company is believed to have valued the land far higher than the £50million United are willing to pay, though talks have recently been described as constructive.
Once resolved, United hope to push ahead with construction of the 100,000-capacity arena, which would be the largest football stadium in Europe.
The plans also include 17,000 new homes and major transport upgrades to the surrounding area.
The project would form part of a wider regeneration of Trafford Wharfside, linking Media City with the Manchester Ship Canal and expanding the city’s sporting corridor that already includes Old Trafford Cricket Ground and the nearby Imperial War Museum North.
United’s ownership group, led by Ratcliffe’s INEOS, intends to cover the stadium costs privately while seeking government support for transport and infrastructure improvements.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe suggested that government funding could be considered for part of the scheme
Fans have already been asked for feedback on key areas such as ticket pricing, facilities, and the possibility of personal seat licences, which could cost up to £4,000 for the right to buy a season ticket at the new venue.
If progress continues, United hope to move into the new stadium in time for the 2030–31 season.
