LONDON: Manchester United on Tuesday announced plans to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium close to their historic Old Trafford home, which co-owner Jim Ratcliffe promised would be the “world’s greatest” football ground.
The momentous decision by the Premier League club comes after an extensive consultation process on whether to develop their creaking current ground or move.
The stadium, which will be built on land surrounding Old Trafford, will cost around £2 billion ($2.6 billion) and the project timescale is five years.
United, 20-time English league champions, are one of the world’s most iconic football clubs but have fallen behind rivals such as Manchester City and Liverpool over the past decade.
They are having a dismal season under current manager Ruben Amorim, languishing 14th in the Premier League table and knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.
Ratcliffe himself this week told the BBC some of the club’s players are “not good enough” and some are “overpaid.”
Scaled models and conceptual images for United’s new stadium were revealed on Tuesday at the London headquarters of architects Foster + Partners, appointed in September to design the stadium district.
“Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the center of a regenerated Old Trafford,” Ratcliffe said in a club statement.
“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport.”
United said the stadium and a wider regeneration project had the potential to deliver an additional £7.3 billion per year to the UK economy, including the possible creation of 92,000 new jobs.
Old Trafford, which has been the club’s home since 1910, will be demolished once construction is completed.
A joint task force was created last year to explore options for regenerating the Old Trafford area of Greater Manchester, with the stadium development at his heart.
It was led by Sebastian Coe, chairman of the organizing committee for the 2012 London Olympics, and also included the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
British billionaire Ratcliffe, born in Greater Manchester, said in London on Tuesday that United, as the “world’s favorite football club and the biggest in my opinion,” deserved a stadium befitting its stature.
Old Trafford is England’s biggest club ground with a capacity of around 74,000 but criticism of the stadium has grown in recent years, with issues including leaks from the roof.
The proposed new stadium will rank as Europe’s second biggest, behind only Barcelona’s Camp Nou, which will accommodate 105,000 fans once an upgrade is completed.
The move to a new ground has been backed by former United boss Alex Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles during his reign of nearly 27 years that ended in 2013.
“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,” he said.
United, whose struggles on the pitch are matched by problems off it, are around £1 billion in debt and have yet to say how they will pay for the new stadium.
But chief executive Omar Berrada said he was confident the club would find a way to finance the stadium as it was a “very attractive investment opportunity.”
Foster + Partners designed the new Wembley stadium and the Lusail stadium, the venue for the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
Norman Foster, founder of Foster + Partners, said United’s new stadium would feature an umbrella design sheltering a public plaza that is “twice the size of Trafalgar Square” in London.
The design will feature three masts described as “Trident,” which the architects say will be 200 meters high and visible from 40 kilometers (25 miles) away.
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust said it was vital that fans were consulted throughout the process.
The group said in a statement: “Will it drive up ticket prices and force out local fans? Will it harm the atmosphere, which is consistently fans’ top priority in the ground?
“Will it add to the debt burden which has held back the club for the last two decades? Will it lead to reduced investment in the playing side at a time when it is so badly needed?“
Manchester United to leave Old Trafford for 100,000-seat stadium
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Manchester United to leave Old Trafford for 100,000-seat stadium
- The stadium, which will be built on land surrounding Old Trafford, $2.6 billion and the project timescale is five years
- “Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium,” Ratcliffe said
DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea
- 6-under 66 by the American helped secure the individual and team titles in Incheon
INCHEON: Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau finally converted a 36-hole lead into a LIV Golf victory on Sunday but his teammate Charles Howell III did not make it easy for him.
DeChambeau countered Howell’s final-round nine-under 63 with a six-under 66 in a spirited back-nine final-group duel to win the individual title by two shots at LIV Golf Korea presented by Coupang Play.
His Crushers made it a sweep of the trophies at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea by rallying past Smash GC to win the team title.
“Charles and I had a great battle out there,” said DeChambeau, who finished at 19 under. “He never wavered today. It was fun and we had a great time today, but it was intense. Super-intense.”
The individual victory is DeChambeau’s third in LIV Golf, but his first since 2023 — and his first after entering the final round with the lead.
Recent Sundays have ended in disappointment, both in the previous two LIV Golf events in Miami and Mexico City in which DeChambeau led after 36 holes, as well as last month’s Masters in which he led with 16 holes left.
He entered Sunday with a healthy four-shot lead, but Howell — starting the day five back — opened with three consecutive birdies and was four under at the turn. Meanwhile, DeChambeau suffered his only bogey of the week at the par-four sixth and made the turn at even par, his lead reduced to one.
While other players sought to make some noise — 4Aces GC’s Thomas Pieters birdied five of his first six holes while Smash’s Talor Gooch finished strong — the individual title eventually came down to the two Crushers teammates and close friends.
Both turned up the heat on the back nine, with DeChambeau making birdies on four of his next six holes while Howell strung together five consecutive birdies. With three holes remaining, the two were tied at 17 under.
But Howell suffered his only bogey of the day after his tee shot found a fairway bunker at the 16th. DeChambeau followed by creating breathing room at the 17th, rolling in a 15-meter birdie putt before letting out a roar and pumping his fists.
DeChambeau then managed to stay out of trouble — barely — with his tee shot at the par-five 18th, ending the round with a birdie and a big sigh of relief.
“I feel like I’ve been playing some great golf, but I just haven’t gotten the job done,” DeChambeau said.
“That was a lot of tension. Just glad I was able to step up to the plate and get it done. … I was personally pretty nervous on the front nine for whatever reason. … Finally on 17, the bubble burst and I felt really good.”
For Howell, the performance confirms he is back from the stress fracture in his left tibia that knocked him out of action for three months in the middle of last season. The solo second is his first podium result since winning in Mayakoba to start the 2023 season.
“I knew today would be a tough day to catch Bryson and even to try to beat him, but I gave it my best,” Howell said. “I definitely would’ve thought nine-under would have done it, and clearly it didn’t.”
“Any time you shoot nine-under par in the last group, and you still don’t win, it’s a tough day,” he added.
Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- Last day of action at Mubadala Arena saw Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club securing second place and Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club finishing third
ABU DHABI: The third round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi with Baniyas Club taking first place.
Competitions for the U-12 and kids categories also saw Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club securing second place and Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club finishing third.
Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The continued support of the wise leadership for jiu-jitsu reflects its belief in the sport’s importance in promoting physical and mental well-being and instilling noble values. This plays a key role in building a cohesive society where sport is an essential pillar of sustainable development and global leadership.”
Meanwhile, Ahmed Saeed Al-Jarwan, president of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club, praised the high level of organization and wide participation in the event, highlighting the growing popularity of jiu-jitsu in the UAE.
The championship’s fourth round is scheduled for June.
Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
- Born in Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold rose through the youth ranks to become one of the best right backs in the world
LIVERPOOL: England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool, the club he has been at since the age of six, he said on social media platform X on Monday, calling it the hardest decision of his life.
Born in Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold rose through the youth ranks to become one of the best right backs in the world, winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup with the English team.
“This club has been my whole life – my whole world — for 20 years,” Alexander-Arnold said in his statement. “From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
“But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.”
The 26-year-old England international frequently played in a hybrid midfield role for Liverpool in recent seasons, operating as a full back when out of possession but moving into midfield during attacks.
Dubai Basketball end regular season with dramatic comeback victory
- 79-75 triumph was 13th consecutive win, sees them in dominant form ahead of playoffs
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball cemented their form ahead of the playoffs with a monumental 13th consecutive victory, overcoming ABA League regular season leaders Buducnost VOLI in another decisive final quarter at home to triumph 79-75.
The Montenegrin side arrived in Dubai as the league’s toughest challenge but the hosts delivered under pressure as they continued their historic streak before turning their sights to the playoffs which begin on Sunday, May 11.
Head coach Jurica Golemac said: “It was like a final. Congratulations to the players and congratulations to the fans. The focus was unbelievable in the second half — we allowed only 27 points. We controlled most of it and truly deserved this win.”
The game’s most electric moment came in the final quarter. With just minutes on the clock and the outcome still in the balance, Awudu Abass intercepted a crucial play and charged through the Buducnost defence for a sensational fast-break dunk, giving Dubai a five-point advantage in front of a 4,500-strong crowd at Coca-Cola Arena.
Dubai Basketball’s fourth-quarter performance pushed their fans into a frenzy as the game was held to just a two-point difference. Showing up when it mattered the most, captain Klemen Prepelic sealed the win with his final-point free throw.
The win secured a top-four finish for Dubai Basketball, which means their playoff campaign will open at home. The team will face Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija on Sunday in what will be a historic game for the club.
Describing the team’s fans as their sixth player, Golemac said: “We are calling all the fans to come next week — in seven days — for the first game of the playoffs. We are going to need their support more than ever.”
Ferrari frustration mounts as Hamilton and Leclerc struggle at Miami Grand Prix
- There was little improvement to his performance, and Hamilton was ordered by Ferrari to give up seventh place in Sunday’s race to teammate Charles Leclerc
- Hamilton settled for eighth, his worst finish since he was disqualified from the second race of the season
MIAMI GARDENS: Lewis Hamilton arrived at the Miami Grand Prix admittedly frustrated with his slow start to the Formula 1 season driving for Ferrari.
There was little improvement to his performance, and Hamilton was ordered by Ferrari to give up seventh place in Sunday’s race to teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton settled for eighth, his worst finish since he was disqualified from the second race of the season.
Even so, the seven-time F1 champion was upbeat after the race.
“I generally enjoyed the race,” Hamilton said. “I think this weekend, while we were not as quick as we want to be, I feel like I had a better weekend in general. The result might not show it, but I was 12th to seventh.”
Hamilton even briefly thought he’d have a fantastic day when a change to medium tires made him feel “the car really come alive and I felt super optimistic in that moment.”
Even so, Ferrari had nothing for McLaren Racing, which went 1-2 with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
“I think it wasn’t a good weekend ... we can’t be satisfied with P7 and P8,” said Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur. “You start P8 and P12, it’s almost impossible to fight your way back and challenge the cars ahead. The other thing is that McLaren was probably on another planet. We had enough pace to battle with Red Bull and Mercedes, but not with McLaren.”
Piastri has four victories this year — three in a row — and Norris has one as McLaren has won five of the first six races. Four-time defending F1 champion Max Verstappen has one win, while Ferrari has yet to even challenge with Hamilton and Leclerc.
Compounding problems for Ferrari in Miami was a crash on Saturday when Leclerc lost control of his car as he headed out to the track for the sprint race. He wasn’t able to compete in the sprint and Ferrari had to hustle to even have him ready for qualifying.
Hamilton finished third in the sprint race but then failed to carry the momentum into qualifying. His only complaint after the race, though? Not the team orders to give Leclerc position, but in how slow Ferrari was to communicate the plan.
It seemed that Ferrari told Leclerc before the team told Hamilton, so when Leclerc first attempted the pass, it didn’t work. Once Hamilton got the message, the British driver let Leclerc by on the next lap.
“This is not good team work. That’s all I’m going to say,” Hamilton said on the Ferrari team radio.
After the race, Hamilton said he thought he was actually pretty fast when Ferrari called for the position swap.
“I was clearly quick at that moment and I didn’t think the decision came quick enough,” Hamilton said. “And then for sure, in that time, you’re like ‘Come on.’ I have no problems with the team or Charles. I think we can do better, but the car is where we really need to go to work.”
Leclerc said he knows Ferrari’s drama in Miami will make for a compelling controversy in F1, but that the true problem is the car just isn’t good enough.
“We need to do better, that’s for sure. Today was not ideal and was far from maximizing our potential,” he said. “We’ve got to regroup as a team and be better.”
He admitted that like Hamilton, Leclerc is also frustrated by Ferrari’s performance so far this season. His best finish to date was third at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last month.
“There’s frustration already that you are, I was fighting for P8 and I was not making any gains,” Leclerc said. “I was really struggling with the car, so there’s a frustration of that and then all the rest and it all adds up.”
