Sir Jim Ratcliffe slammed over latest plan as Man Utd fans release statement
Manchester United fans have expressed great opposition to suggestions Old Trafford's naming rights could be sold to raise funds.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe announced that there were exploring the idea in an effort to increase finances ahead of either developing the stadium or building a new replacement. Old Trafford has been largely neglected and major work is now necessary to bring it up to standard.
United bosses are looking to raise the capital required and are looking at whether to offload the naming rights to their stadium or potentially increase ticket prices - which the club's main supporter could has also opposed as they claimed: "We do not believe fans should bear brunt via ticket price rises.”
Several of their rivals, the likes of Arsenal and neighbours Manchester City, have auctioned of their stadium names to Emirates and Etihad respectively. Supporters have warned, ahead of any potential move that “naming rights are a highly emotive issue and we expect Man Utd to consult fans”.
Mirror Football understands that the club do intend to discuss the plans with supporters, before making any definitive decisions.
Old Trafford remains the biggest club stadium in the UK but its facilities have fallen behind that of their rivals. The likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and City have all redeveloped their stadiums to ensure they remain the gold standard.
United meanwhile, under the Glazers, have opted against major investment in Old Trafford. As a result it has become something for rival fans to mock. The leaky roof on the red side of Manchester often leads to footage of water pouring down onto sections of seats when it rains.
The decline of Old Trafford was underlined recently when City's Etihad Stadium was selected as the Manchester base for the Euros in 2028, which will be hosted in the UK. Gary Neville said when the decision was made: "This is an all-time low. That it is not in the best 10 to host a tournament is a joke."
Old Trafford's naming rights could be sold to raise funds
Ratcliffe has expressed a plan to see a world class arena placed in the north of England, claiming a "Wembley of the North" would prove beneficial for the country.
He told Sky: "There's a very good case, in my view, for having a stadium of the North, which would serve the northern part of the country in that arena of football . If you look at the number of Champions League the North West has won, it's 10. London has won two.
"And yet everybody from the North has to get down to London to watch a big football match. And there should be one [a large stadium] in the North, in my view."
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