Sir Jim Ratcliffe provides fresh response when asked for Man United stadium update

Sir Jim Ratcliffe was asked for an update on the Manchester United stadium and ambitions for a “Wembley of the North”.

Ratcliffe, 71, is the new co-owner at United and is already planning major changes at the club on and off the pitch.

He has brought in sporting experts in key roles, with Dan Ashworth, Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada expected to be key in the upcoming changes for the club.

However, Ratcliffe is also keen to build a new stadium and boost the surrounding area around Old Trafford.

A new stadium would cost around £2 billion, while improvements on the current structure, particularly focused on the roof, would be around half of that price.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer met with the United co-owner last Sunday to discuss the redevelopment of Old Trafford.

It has been stated that Ratcliffe is keen for public funds for this development, and once again, the British billionaire was asked about the current situation in terms of gaining those funds.

Speaking to Sky, the 71-year-old was unable to provide any real update on the situation but reiterated his confidence and reasoning behind wanting a new stadium for the club in the North of England.

“Well, I think there’s a very good case, in my view, for having a Stadium of the North, which would serve the northern part of the country in that arena of football,” he said.

“Because, you know, if you look at the number of Champions Leagues the North West has won. It’s won ten. London’s won two. And yet, everybody from the North has to schlep down to London to watch a big football match,

“There should be one in the North, in my view. But it’s also important for the southern side of Manchester to regenerate what is the sort of second capital of the country, where the Industrial Revolution began.

“But if you have a regeneration project, you need a nucleus for a regeneration project, and, you know, having that world-class stadium there, I think, would provide the impetus to regenerate that region.”