Man Utd’s plan for a new 100,000-seater stadium. (Image: MANCHESTER UNITED)
Paul Merson has torn into Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the . The icon has brandished the audacious project as “pathetic”, expressing his bemusement at how improving ‘s squad doesn’t appear to be a priority.
Owners the Glazer family have loaded over £1billion of debt onto the club, while a similar amount of cash has essentially been burnt to service subsequent interest payments over their scandalous 20-year rule. In an interview on Monday, Sir Jim claimed that the Red Devils would have run out of money by Christmas without the £250million he injected and a series of unpopular cost-cutting measures. Unsurprisingly, how they will fund their new home, which is estimated to command £2bn, remains to be seen.
Sir Jim and United chief executive Omar Berrada stated that they were confident that the club could finance the stadium themselves as part of the Government-backed regeneration of the Trafford area.
However, Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, has confirmed public money won’t be on offer for the stadium itself.
Merson has assessed the decision from a sporting standpoint, sharing his astonishment over why the focus is on replacing Old Trafford while the club is rotting in 14th in the Premier League.
“I’ve got no interest at all. I think it’s pathetic. If I’m a fan, I’d be fuming,” Merson told .
Paul Merson thinks the plans are “pathetic”. (Image: SKY SPORTS)
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“Old Trafford is one of the biggest stadiums in the Premier League. I can understand if it’s – they need a bigger capacity stadium to keep on living with the big boys.
“When it’s , who have a huge stadium, why would you need another stadium? They need new players; they need a team. This is what I can’t work out.
“I hear going ‘England will be able to play here’. Don’t worry about the national team; worry about Man United and getting them into the top six. I’m flabbergasted at what I’m seeing.”
He continued: “It’s fascinating. Unbelievable what’s going on at that club. Old Trafford holds 70,000 already; they don’t need a new stadium.
“They just need to Polyfilla some of those holes where the rain comes through. Worry about yourselves, not England or anyone else.”
Merson’s sentiments are shared by sections of the United fanbase who would’ve preferred a redevelopment of Old Trafford, which opened in 1910.
CEO Berrada admits that the project is a risk to the club’s prospects in the transfer market across the coming years, sparking concerns while the need for upgrades is so apparent.
But a new stadium is the new-look regime’s grand plan to turn the club into a profitable organisation again and, more importantly, one of the world’s best football teams after years of Glazer-flavoured turmoil.