Manchester United ready to demolish Old Trafford if plans for new stadium get approved - Reports

Manchester United are reportedly exploring options around constructing a new stadium, which could lead to demolishing their existing home, Old Trafford. The iconic football stadium has been the home of the Red Devils for over 114 years.

The club underwent a change in ownership with INEOS joining the Glazers in the boardroom last season. Since then, there have been discussions about increasing the capacity of the club's home stadium. Both options - redeveloping Old Trafford as well as constructing a state-of-the-art 'Wembley of the North', have been explored according to the Daily Mail.

There were reports that if the club move to a new ground, the women's team would move to Old Trafford, which would be scaled down to a 30,000-seater ground. However, according to reports in the Daily Mail, the club is now considering demolishing the iconic venue if they move to a new stadium.

The Telegraph had earlier reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants his team to play at a more modern stadium that is in line with the club's status in world football. The new stadium is said to become the largest ground in the country with a capacity of 100,000.

"I want Manchester United to have the best stadium in the world" - Gary Neville

The Manchester United owners have appointed a task force to explore the regeneration of Old Trafford and its surrounding area with a state-of-the-art football stadium. Former Red Devils defender Gary Neville is part of the task force along with representatives from the Supporters Trust as well as the government.

The Athletic interviewed Neville about the stadium where he shared his view on the stadium, saying that the outcome is most important and not if it is a redeveloped Old Trafford or a new stadium.

"Everyone gets bogged down on whether it should be a new stadium or a redevelopment — and rightly so. Whether we create a new and bigger version of Tottenham’s stadium or do what Real Madrid did with the Bernabeu. Either outcome for me is a success because if Manchester United end up with a world-class stadium, new or developed, I genuinely don’t care," said the player-turned-pundit.

He echoed Ratcliffe's comments about needing a "wow" factor around the club's stadium. Neville hinted at a new stadium by comparing the club's situation with England's home ground - Wembley, talking about how the new Wembley transformed the area and brought in jobs for the locals.

Keeping an eye on the future, the former Manchester United defender called for patience and said that he wants the club to have the best facilities in the world.

"In five, six or seven years, I want United to have the best stadium and training ground in the world, plus doing the right things on the football side. That will come again and we’re patient," he added.

The Athletic reports that the Old Trafford task force is expected to share its recommendation by the end of the year.