Stefan Borson: Man United face 'very challenging' stadium issue after new twist revealed

Manchester United are going to have to find ways to pay for their new stadium project without funding from the government.

That is the view of former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider it’s not “politically attractive” for central or local government to provide the necessary funds to help United build a new stadium.

The Premier League side have set up an expert task force – which includes Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and ex-defender Gary Neville – as they look to either regenerate Old Trafford or build a new facility altogether.

The Telegraph reported on 29 July the task force has initially concluded the best option would be the creation of a new stadium, boasting a capacity of up to 100,000.

If United decide to push forward with the plans, the proposed development is expected to cost up to £2billion – double the £1billion expenditure of redeveloping Old Trafford – and take six years to complete.

City A.M. reported on 7 August the Manchester giants may now have to scale back their plans due to a lack of government funding.

Man United have to pay for new stadium without government funds

Borson insisted it’s going to be a “very challenging” project for United to fund, particularly because of the level of debt the club already owe.

He told Football Insider: “There is an issue United are going to find as anyone would trying to build a brand new 100,000-seater stadium, it’s the cost of it.

“You would anticipate it’s going to cost in excess of £2.5billion to build.

“That is going to be a very challenging project to fund, especially in circumstances where United already have $1billion (£780million) of debt on the balance sheet.

“They have got a very capable management team and multiple billionaires that own the club, but it doesn’t change the fact that it will be a very expensive project.

“I think they will have to find a way to achieve that without government funding.

“Aside from building the infrastructure around the stadium, which you would expect local government to be keen to do as part of a regeneration project, you can’t see central or local government subsiding Manchester United.

“It’s just not going to be politically attractive to fund one football club to build a stadium.”

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