“Soulless…” – Manchester United fan group full statement slamming “circus-like” stadium plans

Manchester United fan group ‘The 1958’ have released a statement slamming the club’s announced plans to build a new 100,000-seater stadium.

On Tuesday morning, Manchester United confirmed their decision to build a brand-new 100,000-seater stadium instead of renovating Old Trafford.

The club’s ‘Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force’ had spent months evaluating the pros and cons of each option before reaching this conclusion.

As a result, a new stadium will be constructed, and the iconic Old Trafford will ultimately be demolished. The project is expected to be completed by 2030.

The decision has sparked mixed reactions among United supporters, with many opposed to the idea of tearing down the historic Theatre of Dreams.

United fan group slam “circus-like” stadium plans

United fan group ‘The 1958’ have released a statement following the club’s announcement, which included concept images of the surrounding area and stadium.

The fan group, who describe themselves as an “underground group of reds intent on upholding the values of Manchester United, its culture and traditions”, have labelled the stadium design as “soulless”.

They also claim that the stadium should be considered as a “cathedral” for the supporters but it instead looks to be a “circus-like” tourist attraction. The giant cover on the stadium has been criticised online – it has been explained to have the function of harvesting solar energy and rainwater.

“Instead of embodying the gritty, historic essence of Old Trafford … the design resembles a generic, soulless corporate structure, more akin to a modern entertainment venue than a football cathedral,” a statement read, as per MailSport.

“Its circus-like aesthetic disregards the club’s working-class origins and the identity of a fanbase that spans generations. Rather than honoring the past and strengthening the bond with the local community, it prioritizes spectacle over substance.

“Football, dignity and traditions need to be upheld and from what we can see they aren’t. It should be a cathedral for fans to go and worship our team and not a circus like tourist attraction.”

Biggest concern for United match-goers

The stadium concept is quite remarkable, whether you like it or not, but the design is not really something that is the main concern for those who travel to the games.

Instead, it is the worry about the potential cost fans will inflict when the club eventually move into such a stadium, where things like tickets are likely to be increased even further.

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United fans have recently been protesting about ticket prices and Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirmed in media interviews this week that there will be a slight increase on season ticket prices next season.

Ratcliffe believes that United deserve one of the best stadiums in the world to reflect their status as a club and not many fans would disagree with that. However, many do remain sceptical about the accessibility for working-class fans once the move is complete.

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