Man Utd’s stadium looks unrecognisable in incredible AI plans as Sir Jim Ratcliffe plots new £2bn Old Trafford

9 months ago 88

INCREDIBLE images of what Manchester United’s new home could look like have been brought to life by AI.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.03bn takeover of 27.7 per cent of the Red Devils is now officially complete and he has already got straight down to work.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision for a new stadium has been brought to life[/caption]

AI have created and released several new images of what the new Old Trafford could look like[/caption]

We revealed in February how the British billionaire was exploring the idea of building a brand new ground next to where Old Trafford currently sits.

Fans have complained about a number of issues at the 114-year-old Theatre of Dreams, including a leaking roof, rusting metal and the generally dated venue.

The stadium is lagging decades behind the homes of their biggest rivals and one option for Ratcliffe could see the 74,000-capacity Old Trafford updated, renovated and expanded – at a cost of around £800m.

But it is still believed that constructing a new stadium from scratch – which has been dubbed “Wembley of the North” – is believed to be his preference despite the £2bn cost.

Now Lord Ping has used an AI bot and released images of what it could potentially look like.

The images show the ground, which would have an attendance between 80,000-90,000, featuring three tiers all the way around it

The South Stand is considerably smaller than the Stretford End, East Stand at Sir Alex Ferguson Stand at Old Trafford.

The AI shows also revealed that each corner is a similar size – just like Wembley.

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United introduced safe standing to their current home last year, and the plans also show an area for that.

A Lord Ping spokesperson said: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hit all the right notes with Manchester United fans in his first interview since completing his deal to buy 27.7 per cent of the club.

“United supporters have watched on in envy as Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and even West Ham have enjoyed a massive upgrade to their stadium experience.

“Finally, United could be ready to move into the 21st century and compete. Provided results on the pitch can mirror successes with the stadium and the south Manchester area, the future looks incredibly bright for the Red Devils.”

The last upgrade at Old Trafford came in 2006 as 8,000 seats were added to the second tiers of the north west and north east quadrants.

Ratcliffe recently told BBC Sport how he hoped to get some of the taxpayers money to help fund it.

He said: “I think, as part of a regeneration project, there has to be a conversation with the national government.

“The north deserves some thought as well as the south, I think, if it is a national stadium.”

Trafford Council backed Ratcliffe’s plans with councillor Liz Patel saying: “That is great ambition from Jim Ratcliffe and these plans match that in terms of the setting and the future of the area.”

Although she did add: “How United get together the finances for their own stadium refurbishment would be separate [from council plans].”

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