Sir Alex Ferguson stadium message Newcastle United will follow as St James' Park 'green light' seen

An extraordinary, multi-billion stadium plan was unveiled on Tuesday - but unfortunately the news broke in the north west of England, rather than the north east.

Manchester United, who already boast the largest football club venue in the country, have announced their plans to build a new, state of the art stadium on the existing Old Trafford land. At 100,000 seats and an estimated cost of £2billion, it promises to be one of the most intriguing and bullish developments of recent times.

Meanwhile, on Tyneside, there is still uncertainty as to which way Newcastle United chiefs will lean with their own stadium plans. A decision on whether to remain at or depart St James' Park is expected in the coming months after two proposals were drafted up and shown to the majority ownership.

The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund [PIF] will oversee the final decision and have publicly gone on the record as to pursuing nothing but the very best - not only in football but in every sector they now have a vested interest in. "I think we should have an ambition and aspiration to be number one," PIF Governor and Newcastle chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, previously said.

That particular quote, although two years old, still sticks in the mind, especially when considering what a brand new stadium would look like for Newcastle. There is next to no doubt that there would be no expense spared and that any new location would likely blow the Magpies' rivals out of the water.

Clearly, there is a similar feeling at Manchester United. Despite a horror season on the pitch, wholesale budget cuts behind the scenes and general despair at over a decade of decline, the Red Devils still believe they need to be in pursuit of the finest - just like the good old days.

"Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in," club legend Sir Alex Ferguson said as the new stadium plan was announced. "Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made.”

Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, added: “If we get this right, the regeneration impact could be bigger and better than London 2012. Manchester United could, and indeed should, have the best football stadium in the world.”

The message will be the same on Tyneside. There will be no corners cut, no expense spared and no stone left unturned. Now, Newcastle even have a close rival to take inspiration from as Manchester United begin to formulate their very own monumental stadium plans.

Newcastle's own legends have had struck a similar tone when discussing the club's big decision. Former owner Sir John Hall believes the current hierarchy will take the stadium 'into the next generation', Eddie Howe insists the final decision will 'benefit of the long-term future of the club' and Brad Miller, United's Chief Operating Officer, has labelled the dilemma a 'once in a generation' decision.

But while the Red Devils have shown both immense vision and bravery to unveil such plans at this stage of their journey, it remains to be seen whether Newcastle will see this as their green light to do exactly the same on Tyneside.