Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman has claimed that Manchester United should demolish Old Trafford and build a new stadium like Tottenham, after images of the poor state of the old ground went viral once again following the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal.
Leandro Trossard scored the only goal of the game as the Gunners regained top spot from Manchester City, but the fallout from the match came against the backdrop of a torrent of water seeping through the roof of Old Trafford.
Post-match footage showed floods of water cascading from the stands into the tunnel, while footage from the away dressing room actually showed water dripping from the ceiling.
The state of Old Trafford has been a big topic of conversation for several months, and with Sir Jim Ratcliffe completing a partial takeover of the club, calls for a renovation have continued to increase.
However, instead of renovating the current site, Ladyman said It’s all getting started! that the Red Devils should try to demolish the ground and build a new one, playing their home games at Wembley in the meantime.
Images of the leaking roof at Old Trafford circulated again on social media after Sunday’s match.
Tottenham Hotspur spent time at Wembley to complete work on their new state-of-the-art stadium.
Ian Ladyman suggested Man United could demolish Old Trafford and move to Wembley
‘Old Trafford is really falling down, as Arsenal fans chanted as they waited to get home. It’s really embarrassing. And it was interesting that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Old Trafford’s new kingmaker, was there with Lord Coe in the director’s box.
‘Lord Coe is on the working group Ratcliffe has put together to look at redeveloping the stadium or demolishing it. So Lord Coe has seen with his own eyes how bad the situation is.
“I think they should tear down Old Trafford, play at Wembley for two years and build a new one. There are other people who think that can never happen and that they need to rebuild and modernize it.”
Ladyman then asked co-host Chris Sutton if the club should do just that, to which the former Blackburn star replied: “I loved playing there, but look what Tottenham have done to their stadium. I mean it’s absolutely magnificent. I think it’s the best stadium I’ve ever been to.
“So why can’t Manchester United do something? Similar to that? The idea of Manchester United playing at Wembley, I mean, that has to be a no-no for Manchester United fans.
“That wouldn’t be fair at all to die-hard fans – we’ve talked on this podcast before about the cost to football fans – that’s something that can’t happen.”
Ladyman suggests that United seek a near-complete transformation to return to the top of the football hierarchy in England and that nothing should be “off the table”.
He then hypothesizes that, in theory, United could offer season ticket holders a seat at Wembley for those who wish to go, and for those who don’t, their place at the new Old Trafford stadium would still remain, meaning that there is no risk of losing.
There has been much talk of improving a run-down Old Trafford since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial takeover.
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If United were to tear down Old Trafford and build a best-in-class stadium, then they would be “printing money” on match days, Ladyman claims.
Co-host Chris Sutton was less than convinced and instead joked: “Ladyman has lost her mind.”
Ladyman suggested that the club could subsidize transport to Wembley for fans who wished to retain their season tickets.
The club could then subsidize fans’ travel to London to follow the team, while also offering United fans across the country greater access to games.
However, Sutton was still unconvinced and replied: “You know you’ve lost your mind.” Ladyman has lost her mind. They can’t go to London to play home games. I agree with everything else you say. Well, we will continue playing at Old Trafford. Why can’t they just build a stadium somewhere else? Near Old Trafford. Is that not feasible?
