Source:REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, Manchester United is reconsidering its new stadium project and may scrap the planned roof design. The reason for this is a significant disagreement over the acquisition price with the landowner, the Freightliner company. Reports indicate that Freightliner is asking for as much as £400 million for a crucial plot of land on the west side of the stadium, while Manchester United’s valuation is only around £50 million. This vast price difference has led to a stalemate in negotiations. This impasse is forcing United to consider alternative plans that require less land, and removing the roof is one of them. The roof itself, criticized as resembling a “circus tent,” was estimated to cost between £300-400 million and played a key role in Ratcliffe’s initial vision for the “world’s most iconic stadium.” A source stated that a new design without the roof would be “more in line with the appearance of a traditional stadium.” Currently, the entire project faces multiple uncertainties. Firstly, the initial estimated construction cost of £2 billion has not been fully secured, and the club’s financial situation remains tight. Secondly, plans to secure government funding for surrounding infrastructure have stalled due to the failure to reach a land deal.