Man United dealt new Old Trafford stadium blow - expert

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted Man United will rightly receive no government funding for their new stadium project despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s pleas.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed United will have “no problem” raising funds privately for a 100,000-seat, £2billion new ground.

As per the BBC (29 July), Man United’s ownership hopes to decide whether to start planning for a new 100,000-seat stadium by the end of 2024.

It was also claimed that renovating the existing Old Trafford stadium, which would cost around £1.2billion and take longer to complete, is also on the table for club chiefs.

Ratcliffe has spoken publicly about wanting a ‘Wembley of the North’ in Manchester and called for the government to help fund the project.

Government to block funding for Man United new stadium, says Wyness

Wyness has claimed Man United should be able to sustain a new 100,000-seater build through private funding as interest rates come down globally.

He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Unlike the US, there will be no government funding for a project like this.

“The only funding they will get will be around the changes to infrastructure – roads in the public domain.

“There really shouldn’t be any investment into a private club’s stadium.

“It will be up to them to assess the funding model they’re going to have and the size of stadium they’ll go for.

“We’ve been told that 100,000 seats is the target.

“It seems a sensible target for United, and the financial model should be able to sustain that.

“Interest rates are coming down globally, so it should be easy for them to get it financed.

“Even at £2billion, I can’t see it being a problem. If they reduce the numbers, it won’t be due to a lack of government funding.”

In other news, United tell midfielder to find a new club.

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