Manchester United’s new Old Trafford designs have shown Newcastle United what a new stadium could look like.
An astonishing, multi-billion stadium plan was presented on Tuesday, but the news came from the north west of England, not the north east.
Manchester United, who currently have the largest football club facility in the country, have unveiled plans to build a new, cutting-edge stadium on the existing Old Trafford site. With 100,000 seats and an estimated cost of £2 billion, it promises to be one of the most exciting and bullish developments in recent years.
Meanwhile, on Tyneside, it remains unclear which direction Newcastle United’s stadium ambitions will take. A decision on whether to stay or leave St James’ Park is likely in the next months, after two options were draughted and presented to the majority ownership.
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund [PIF] will oversee the final decision and has openly said that they will only pursue the best – not only in football, but in every industry in which they now have a vested interest. “I think we should have ambition and aspiration to be number one,” PIF Governor and Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan earlier stated.
That comment, while being two years old, remains memorable, especially when imagining what a spanking new stadium for Newcastle would look like. There is little doubt that no expenditure would be spared, and any new location would almost certainly outperform the Magpies’ competitors.
There is clearly a similar sentiment at Manchester United. Despite a disastrous season on the pitch, massive budget cuts behind the scenes, and widespread despair over a decade of decline, the Red Devils continue to think they must compete for the best, just as they did in the past.
“Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in,” club legend Sir Alex Ferguson said as the new stadium plan was announced. “Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made.”
The message will be the same across Tyneside. There will be no corners cut, no expenses saved, and no stone unturned. Manchester United is developing their own stadium plans, giving Newcastle a rival to look to for inspiration.
Newcastle’s own icons have taken a similar tone in discussing the club’s major decision. Former owner Sir John Hall believes the current hierarchy will take the stadium ‘into the next generation,’ Eddie Howe insists the final decision will ‘benefit the club’s long-term future,’ and Brad Miller, United’s Chief Operating Officer, has described the dilemma as a ‘once in a generation’ decision.
Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, added: “If we get this right, the regeneration impact could be bigger and better than London 2012. Manchester United could, and indeed should, have the best football stadium in the world.”
While the Red Devils have demonstrated enormous vision and daring in announcing such plans at this stage of their career, it remains to be seen whether Newcastle will see this as a green signal to do the same on Tyneside.
