Manchester United are hoping to have their proposed new stadium open within the next six years, the stadium's executive director of development has said.
United revealed plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium in March 2025.
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There has been little public progress since then, although the £2bn project has progressed “behind the scenes”, according to the stadium's executive director of development, Collette Roche.
The club estimates that once the necessary land and financing are obtained, the construction of the stadium will take between “four and five years.”
And Roche insists the schedule has always been to open the doors before the 2032-33 season at the latest.
“I think when we floated the idea of a new stadium 12 months ago, we said it would take four to five years to build and that's true,” Roche said.
“But I think people read it because we could have the stadium ready by 2030. But as you know, with the construction of a stadium as complex as the one we are going to start, it takes one or two years to be ready for construction.
“Assembling the land, getting the funds in place and getting planning permission. That's the part we're doing now. So we haven't set a date for opening, but we're on track within those timelines.”
Although the new stadium will be built on the Old Trafford site, the club needs surrounding land for the project.
Negotiations with rail transport and logistics company Freightliner have been particularly problematic, but Roche said the club was hopeful of making an announcement “in the coming months” after positive talks.
“Some of the examples of progress we've made are, first and foremost, in land harvesting,” Roche said.
“We want to make sure we get the best possible position for this stadium, one that has plenty of land around it to put the right facilities in, one that is connected and offers a great match day experience.
“I've spent a lot of time talking to all the local landlords to understand where that needs to be, and we're progressing very, very well, and I look forward to sharing some positive news on that front in the coming months.”
