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SIR JIM RATCLIFFE SNUBBED WHILE UNITED PLANS MONUMENTAL STADIUM UPGRADE

Mayor Andy Burnham reaffirms no public money will fund Man Utd's new £2bn New Trafford stadium. A development corporation will oversee wider area regeneration, aiming for the 2035 Women's World Cup final.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe Snubbed While United Plans Monumental Stadium Upgrade
Jim Ratcliffe Denied Funding Request - Photo Credit: PA Wire

The pledge that "not a penny of public money" will be used to construct Manchester United's new stadium, New Trafford, has been reaffirmed by Andy Burnham.

At a lavish London presentation in March, United unveiled its ambitious plan for a state-of-the-art stadium with 100,000 seats to replace Old Trafford. The club's controversial co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliff, hinted that the massive project would be completed by 2030. The billionaire tax exile even proposed that taxpayers contribute to the £2 billion plan's funding.

Ratcliffe argued: "People in the north pay their tax, and there is an argument you could think about a more ambitious project in the north which would be fitting for England, for the Champions League final or the FA Cup final." Ratcliffe has been responsible for several of the ruthless cuts at United since the chairman of INEOS chemicals took over in February 2024.

On The Added Time Podcast, the mayor of Greater Manchester has remained steadfast in his position that no public funds would be allocated for the stadium itself.

However, according to the Manchester Evening News, a Mayoral Development Corporation has recently been established for the larger ground-level revitalisation project, which is expected to yield significant financial benefits.

"We have a fairly clear premise here at the beginning of this journey with the Mayoral Development Corporation, so it is not about handing them money," Burnham stated. The stadium will be funded by Manchester United. None of the public funds will be used for that.

But given the financial advantages that come with it, we undoubtedly have a part to play in making the stadium as good as it can be. If you consider it, the train station behind the stand has been abandoned for safety reasons for a number of years.

The public would greatly benefit from this since part of it would see that station moved somewhat, perhaps closer to Lou Macari's Chippy or somewhere nearby. Once it reopens, it would greatly benefit the local villages of Gorst Hill, Stretford, and the residents.

"It is considerably wider than the ground itself, with thousands of new dwellings and thousands of new employment."

According to the Manchester Evening News, United and the city area are collaborating in an effort to secure key FIFA Women's World Cup events for the arena in 2035, including the championship match.

"I am so involved that we have just asked parliament to form a Mayoral Development Corporation," Burnham said, endorsing the goal of holding the 2035 World Cup final in Manchester. Thus, it is a vehicle, a legal entity, that will be in charge of the area's overall regeneration.

"I am more accountable for the surroundings of any new stadium. As a city and a region, we have a tremendous opportunity. The neighbourhood surrounding the former Salford docks comes to mind when you think about that location.

On the opposite side of you is Media City. If we get it right, this place might become a global destination. There are freight terminals behind the current Old Trafford that send many trains into Manchester city centre, but I know that people here find it difficult to understand how that affects living on this end of the M62 [Liverpool].

"It produces congestion in Manchester, which is a big factor in the havoc on the northern railways. As a result, every train travelling across the nation frequently arrives in Liverpool late.

"There are a lot of reasons why this initiative makes sense. In fact, it would cause growth here [Liverpool] by moving the freight tunnels to St Helens.

It is a significant development initiative for the entire Northwest. And if we really get things going, I believe there is a good chance we will be hosting the FIFA World Cup for women in 2035. That is an exciting idea.

"Consider a final at the recently constructed Old Trafford. Indeed, it would be a remarkable event.

While negotiations to secure important land pieces continue, the new stadium's layout has been placed on hold. The railway depot surrounding Old Trafford is owned by Freightliner, and this area is essential to achieving the ambitious goals.

United is still optimistic that it can find a deal to acquire the land required for its groundbreaking stadium project.

THOMAS TUCHEL AND CARLO ANCELOTTI RULE OUT MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER JOB VACANCY

Michael Carrick remains unbeaten as Man United manager! Read about his 2-0 win over City and why Tuchel and Ancelotti are ruled out.

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Manchester United’s Interim Boss Is Rewriting The Future Today

Manchester United are still searching for a new permanent manager after Ruben Amorim’s exit, even though Michael Carrick’s start as caretaker has turned some heads. Carlo Ancelotti’s already made it clear he’s not interested, and Thomas Tuchel just committed his future to England.

Carrick stepped in after Amorim got sacked last month, and so far, he’s done well. If the good results keep coming, United might offer him the job full-time, but they’re still looking at other options.

Tuchel was in the running for a while, but on Thursday, he signed a new deal with the England national team. He’s staying put until after Euro 2028.

Then there’s Ancelotti. He’s coaching Brazil now and looks set to extend his contract there soon. United reportedly had him on their list, but last year, the Italian pretty much ruled out returning to club football unless Real Madrid came calling.

Back in September 2025, Ancelotti spoke to L’Equipe about his future. He didn’t leave much room for doubt and said there’s only one European side he’d consider managing again.

“Real Madrid is the only team I will accept managing after Brazil,” Ancelotti said. So, with that and his new Brazil deal, United can cross his name off for good.

So, who takes over after this season? No one knows yet. Carrick, since stepping back in January, hasn’t lost a single match.

He kicked things off by leading United to a 2-0 win over Manchester City can’t ask for a better start. After that, they beat Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham, and then grabbed a last-minute draw against West Ham.

This unbeaten run has fans and pundits calling for Carrick to get the job permanently. After the win over Fulham, people wanted to know what he thought about his future. Carrick kept it honest: “Nothing’s changed, to be honest.

“I know what I’m here to do and what’s expected of me. We want success, and I want the club to be successful down the line—whether that’s with me or someone else.

“I can’t control what happens next. All I can do is try to make the team better and make United stronger. A handful of good results doesn’t change that. If it does, something’s off.

“You can’t just react to a few games, good or bad. It’s about building something solid.”

THE £70M HOMECOMING: WHY MAN UNITED DREAM OF RE-SIGNING SERIE A MVP SCOTT MCTOMINAY

Manchester United wants Scott McTominay back! Discover the £70m price tag and why Tottenham is eyeing Michael Carrick for manager.

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Napoli Demand €80m As United Prepare Bold Scott McTominay Transfer Offer

Manchester United want Scott McTominay back at Old Trafford, and it’s no secret what it’ll cost them. Meanwhile, Tottenham are eyeing a bold move for a new manager.

McTominay left United in August 2024, heading to Napoli for £25 million even though he’d just finished his best season yet, scoring some big goals and keeping Erik ten Hag in the job. Since then, he’s thrived in Italy. Last season, he helped Napoli win the Serie A title and even picked up the league’s MVP award. No wonder Premier League clubs are paying attention. United want him back, and they’re at the front of the queue.

The word from Italy is United “dream of a reunion. McTominay’s happy in Naples, but he’s got unfinished business at United and wants to prove his critics wrong. Napoli’s chief, Leonardo Giammarioli, admitted he’s worried about losing his star midfielder if a massive offer comes in. He even compared it to Nick Woltemade’s exit from Stuttgart.

Fraser Fletcher, our transfer guy, broke the story back in November that United and Arsenal are both looking at McTominay, and Spurs are interested too. But McTominay’s not leaving for just any club. He wants the right project. And it won’t be cheap. Napoli want at least €80m (£70m/$95m) if they’re going to let their 29-year-old star go.

For United, McTominay is one of several targets as they look to rebuild their midfield. Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton are also on the list.

Now, about Michael Carrick: United loves what he’s done as interim boss. But they’re not the only ones. Graeme Bailey says Tottenham are seriously considering Carrick for their permanent manager job. Carrick played for both United and Spurs, and Tottenham already thought about him before hiring Thomas Frank last summer. His quick adjustment to Premier League management hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Spurs have brought in Igor Tudor as interim manager, but Carrick’s in the mix to take over this summer. Of course, it depends on whether United decide to keep him themselves. Sources say United are really impressed with his style and attitude, though they’re still weighing their options.

United aren’t just busy with managers; they’re scouting too. This weekend, they’ll have people watching Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco and Juventus’ Pierre Kalulu in the Derby d’Italia. Kalulu’s been all over the pitch for Juve, playing centre-back, right-back, and wing-back. Dimarco, on the other hand, has been electric for Inter at left wing-back, with six goals and 13 assists in 31 games. Both United and Arsenal are watching closely.

Dimarco might be easier to sign than Kalulu because of his contract. Inter want to extend his deal, but for now, it runs out in June 2027. United have been dreaming about him as their new left-back.

On another note, England rugby captain Maro Itoje spoke out against Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent comments on immigration. “I disagree with the terminology and sentiments of what he said,” Itoje told the BBC. “I do not believe that immigrants have colonised Great Britain. That’s just not true, and it’s the wrong thing to say.

“I’m a proud Londoner, proud to play for and captain England. That’s one of my greatest accomplishments. But I’m also of Nigerian descent, and I’m proud of that heritage too.

“Honestly, I think Ratcliffe’s wording was clumsy, and his numbers were wrong. I saw he apologised, and I respect people who can admit when they’ve messed up and say sorry. So, credit to him for that.”

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