Manchester United admits that they “risk” a five -year drought by committing £ 2 billion in 'New Trafford'.
United yesterday unveiled their vision of a state-of-the-art, 100,000 seats at home next to the Theater of Dreams.
But it came less than 24 hours after co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed that the club could be bankrupt at Christmas without its wild cost-saving measures.
The “brave” stadium plans were supported by the legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
While Chief Executive Omar Berrada hopes that the current boss under Vuren Ruben Amorim will still be in charge when the stadium will be completed in 2030.
Asked if the build could influence their competitiveness on the field, Berrada admitted: “That is a risk.
“It is clear something that we want to avoid.
“We do not want to obstruct our ability to invest in the team, so that we remain competitive while we are building a new stadium.
“There are different ways for that; one of the things we are looking at is to shorten the construction age lines, so that we can have a new stadium within five years, that is our ambition.
“In the meantime, by getting our finances in order and becoming profitable, we believe that we can be very competitive.”
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Prem Rivals Arsenal and Tottenham have also moved houses in recent memory – and have therefore suffered on the field.
But Berrada added: “The big advantage that this club has is that it has the largest fan base in the world and therefore the ability to be the no. 1 in terms of income it generates.”
United hopes to start construction this year, but the goal is to be in their new home at the start of the 2030-31 season.
The supporters Trust (MUST) of Manchester United said that the images looked “stunning and exciting”, but the project raises more questions than answers.
Amorim's men are currently 14th in the table and many regulars believe that the team needs a large rebuilding.
The Must statement said: “Although investments are desperately needed and welcome, fans remain concerned about what it means and what the consequences will be.
“Will it increase ticket prices and force local fans? Will it contribute to the debt that the club has stopped over the past two decades?
“Will it lead to reduced investments in the playing side at a time when it is so desperately needed?”
The stadium plans were supported by Fergie, who said: “Manchester United must always strive for the best in everything it does.
“Old Trafford has so many special memories for me, but we have to be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home white for the future, where history can be made.”
United believes that they can continue to play in the 74,000 capacity Old Trafford, that their home has been since 1910, until their new stadium is ready.
The costs of the project let some fans scratched their heads – because it only came a few hours after Ratcliffe had given his hair -raising warning about the club's finances.
Berrada confirmed that the stadium, together with club areas such as fan zones and a megastore, will not be paid by the general public.
He added: “We will not ask for tax money.
“But at the same time, the stadium is not logical for the new built -in seclusion if there is no investment in the wider generation project.”
United will also investigate the possibility of raising some money by selling the name rights of the new stadium.
Berrada admitted that the hope in the boardroom is that Amorim will still be in charge in 2030.
The Frenchman said: “We would love it if he was still a coach when we move.”
The hope of United to play the next term Champions League football, depend on them and win the Europa League.
They organize Real Sociedad in a last 16-leg collision on Thursday evening with the score 1-1.
Berrada said: “If we are eligible for the Champions League, we will have more income and we have more capacity to invest in the team.”
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