The Mancunian Way: A new Theatre of Dreams

They say they have already acquired the majority of the land needed, and are confident they can raise the money and have it built and finished for them to move into by 2035.

Their move away from a plan to build it on the same footprint means they will be able to play at their current home until the new ground is finished.

Where was the ‘circus tent?’ And what will happen to the old Old Trafford?

The future of the historic Theatre of Dreams, which has been their home since 1910 and which is so cherished by Reds supporters, is not yet known.

It had been automatically assumed it would be demolished but the woman leading the stadium project for the club, CEO Collette Roche, refused to rule out it remaining in some form, telling our football writer Tyrone Marshall they ‘simply don’t know’ at this stage and that they would be consulting with fans on the issue.

The infamous ‘circus tent’ canopy which raised so many eyebrows in the initial designs was missing from the illustrations released as part of the latest plans.

However bosses insisted they were indicative and said the final designs, which were not ‘set in stone’, would be unveiled later this year.

Given designs haven’t been finalised, the club refused to be drawn on the potential cost of the stadium, which was initially estimated to be in the region of £2 billion.

Ms Roche said it was a ‘sanity project’ not a ‘vanity project’ as she said ‘all funding options’including debt, equity, opening the project up to investors and selling shares, were on the table and that there had been ‘a lot of approaches’ from people keen to be part of the project.

The ‘central midfield’ of a huge regeneration project

Trafford Council bosses want the new stadium to be ‘focal point’ and ‘catalyst’ for a multi-billion pound redevelopment of the surrounding area, with the current stadium, which is surrounded by surface car parks and freight facilities, ‘‘not matched by the urban realm.’

Working with architects and the newly formed Old Trafford Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), they have published a draft masterplan for a 150 hectare area they are calling Trafford Wharfside.

The proposals, which span the next 15 years and beyond, seek to create a ‘cultural mile’ which would connect the new stadium and the Imperial War Museum North (IWMN), The Lowry, and Old Trafford cricket ground.

The bold vision includes proposals for a ‘procession route’ approaching the new stadium modelled on Wembley Way and a huge new park dubbed ‘Central Midfield’ which will connect the ground to IWMN.

It also includes plans for a new road bridge over the railway line to Gorse Hill, a potential new railway station and transport interchange near the White City roundabout, a new ‘tech hub’ for businesses and up to 15,000 new homes including new high-rise apartments and houses.

Many elements, if they do eventually materialise, may not be delivered until well into the 2040s. However, the town hall says their long-term vision is to create ‘thriving’ new neighbourhoods ‘anchored by global institutions and industry’ which would ‘drive a new economic engine for Trafford.’

The council said both they and the MDC would be willing to compulsory purchase land if necessary.

The new stadium location means the neighbouring Freightliner rail freight site, previously seen as key to the proposals, was not as crucial and the stadium could go ahead without them moving, it was said.

The council leader Coun Tom Ross said it was still a ‘long term aspiration’ to redevelop the site but that that was a ‘longer-term conversation’ and ‘not for now.’

Fellow Manchester institution give it their backing

The stadium would be very close to the ITV Studios where Coronation Street is filmed.

They said its construction could affect filming but that the impact would likely be minimal and said: “We welcome this regeneration and are excited to see two iconic British landmarks so close to each other.”