Man Utd’s plans for Old Trafford revealed as Sir Jim Ratcliffe unveils £2billion new stadium project
Quotes
It is really good since day one. We are blunt and honest with each other. I feel the support from the board, especially from Sir Jim [Ratcliffe]. We have honest conversations. I already knew that. I had had all of these conversations with them. They came to me in the dressing room. But to say it publicly is really good for the coach. Since day one, I have felt the support from everyone here."
On his dealings with Ratcliffe, Amorim added
It is exciting, but is in five years. My focus is on now."
Speaking ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash with Real Sociedad, Amorim said
Spending public money is a decision they will have to justify to the electorate
But Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former Tory leader, said
It seems amazing that Monday we were told the club where months away from having no money to now building a new stadium
Its spokesman saidIf the taxpayer pays for the depot move, there would need to be a benefit to the public more widely, such as through United handing over land on its existing site.
And Nathan Evans, leader of the Conservative group on Trafford Council, saidThe Old Trafford Regeneration Scheme represents the biggest sports-led regeneration scheme since the London 2012 Olympics
A spokesman said
Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in,
Ferguson said
The big benefit this club has is that it has the biggest fan base in the world and therefore the ability to be the No.1 in terms of revenues that it generates,
Berrada saidThese are all options we will be looking at.”
Asked if United would need to restructure their gross debts of £515.7 million, which excludes more than £300 million owed on transfers and £210 million drawn down from their revolving credit facility, Berrada saidWe’re a PLC so we have to be very careful about giving any revenue forecasts, but the initial business planning shows that we can increase our EBITDA significantly, potentially increase it by £120 million to £130 million,
he saidIf we qualify to the Champions League, we will have more revenues and we’ll have more capacity to invest in the team."
Berrada said
Manchester United is the world’s most favorite football club and, in my view, is the biggest and deserves a stadium fitting of its stature,
part owner Jim Ratcliffe said
We have 1 billion people around the world who follow Manchester United. They will all want to visit this stadium,
he saidWe don’t want to inhibit our ability to invest in the team.”
Berrada ... He said
I genuinely believe that if (United) had a genuine matchday offering that kept the fans in and around the stadium in the way that you have at somewhere like Tottenham, the results from a revenue perspective could be revolutionary and really outplay the rest of the competition.”
Tim Bridge, the lead partner in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said last yearWe think that in the very short term, we can build and invest in the squad,
Mr Berrada said
We're in a transformation phase and sometimes when you want to make radical changes, you have to take two steps back before you can move forward,
Mr Berrada saidIt’s clear that our ambition is to have the best team in the world with the best stadium, the most iconic stadium in the world,
he addedWhat you heard yesterday was about the need to do a course adjustment,
Berrada saidIt’s still quite early and also as a PLC we can’t speculate too much about the funding,
he said