Architect reveals “non-negotiable” for Manchester United’s 100,000-seater stadium, fans were very concerned

One of the architects working on Manchester United’s new stadium has revealed a “non-negotiable” about the design which will ease fan concerns.

Earlier this month, Manchester United confirmed their decision to build a brand-new 100,000-seater stadium instead of renovating Old Trafford.

Following months of discussions, the club’s ‘Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force‘ assessed the advantages and disadvantages before determining that a new stadium was the most suitable choice.

As a result, Old Trafford will eventually be demolished, with the new venue expected to be completed by 2030. Until then, the Reds will continue playing at their historic home.

The decision has brought mixed reaction from supporters, with some having certain concerns about the move, which includes losing certain history from the club.

Architect reveals “non-negotiable” for United’s new stadium

United have conducted an interview with Patrick Campbell, an architect at Foster + Partners, the group appointed to design the stadium.

In that interview, the question was raised as to whether historic features of Old Trafford, such as the Munich Clock, would be moved to the new stadium.

Campbell explained that it is a “non-negotiable” for the team designing the stadium to ensure that such important aspects of the club remain prominent when the move happens.

“We were honoured and privileged to be at the recent memorial,” he responded when asked about the Munich Clock. “It’s so powerful. It’s so important and it’s non-negotiable.

“That has to be play such an important part in the design of how this all comes forward. We want to work with fans to understand what are the important pieces and what’s the best way of continuing that beautiful story of the history and making sure we can continue to honour those memories.

“So it’s about how could they be integrated within the new stadium, or the public spaces around the stadium? Or how we might even add to them. How can we make this [area] even more about Manchester United, about the history and the story which is unique to the club and unlike anything else?”

Hints at Trinity Statue’s new home

When the initial concept images of the new stadium were released, there was some noise about the lack of identity or any of those historical features being included.

However, those were only the early stages concepts which rarely have major details included in them. Campbell’s clarification that it is a “non-negotiable” for such important things to be involved will be good for those concerned fans.

One of the other important monuments at the current ground is the Trinity Statue, which is located outside of the East Stand. While discussing the grand entrance route to the new stadium, which runs across the current Old Trafford site, Campbell also hinted at a potential new home for the statue.

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“That’s 450 metres of tree-lined, activated — museums, shops, bars, hotels, entertainment — route, which links to the route coming from the cricket ground and Wharfside. So that’s maybe where we put the Trinity Statue, so that just as today, it faces towards and honours the stadium,” he said.

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