Club adviser: Man United new stadium's 'circus top design' likely to be scrapped as Ratcliffe gets reality check

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is going to be forced to change his plans for a new Old Trafford.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who ‘wouldn’t be surprised” if a new stadium is not built.

The stadium project is facing rising costs and the build has yet to commence, with no timeline over when it will begin.

Man United remain locked in a dispute with Freightliner over acquiring land adjacent to Old Trafford, which is valued at £400million.

The plans to build a 100,000-seater stadium also faces issues due to rising debt at Man United, but once completed the club’s matchday revenue would significantly increase.

Man United stadium issues ‘won’t be resolved soon’

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes events in the Middle East mean costs are “going through the roof.”

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Man United face a “difficult” situation to complete their stadium project.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Things like that circus top design may have to go. The whole thing may have to be pared back.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we ended up with an Old Trafford regeneration in some way as well when it comes to it. World events may mean that could be the case.

“We’re all going to see building supplies, transportation of things going through the roof if things don’t get resolved fairly soon. I don’t expect it to be resolved that soon. So, I do think long-term projects are going to slip, and are going to be harder and harder to get done.

“Even when the world gets back to normal, it’s going to be at a different price level, and so don’t be surprised if that beautiful image doesn’t actually appear. I think the reality of the world is going to hit Jim Ratcliffe, and he knows more than anybody right now about refineries and all those sorts of things.

“He knows how much the world can be affected by oil. And so, that’s where we are. It’s a difficult one for United right now.”

Man United eye Cole Palmer deal

Wyness also told Football Insider that Man United do hold interest in Chelsea star Cole Palmer after the 23-year-old was linked with a move to Old Trafford in the January transfer window.

Palmer, who has previously played for Manchester City, has not hit the same form as previous seasons at Chelsea this campaign, and the Blues’ financial situation could mean sales have to be made in the summer.

Man United will be looking to strengthen their squad ahead of next season if they qualify for the Champions League, and Palmer would be a marquee signing for the club.

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