Man Utd fans all say same thing as plans for Old Trafford stadium branded 'circus'

After Manchester United revealed ambitious £2 billion plans to regenerate Old Trafford, fans couldn't help but comment at the images of its unique proposed design

Fans of Manchester United are divided after the club announced plans to build a new 100,000 seater stadium as part of a huge regeneration project at Old Trafford.

Despite languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe admitting earlier this week they would have gone bust by the end of the season had he not implemented a number of cost-cutting measures, United appear to be pressing ahead in building the "best stadium in the world".

"Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford," Sir Jim told the club's website. "Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport.

"By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience, only footsteps from our historic home."

Responding to artist impression snaps of the proposal, meanwhile, supporters couldn't help but poke fun at the stadium's mesh tent-like surround. "Why the tent shape? What's the idea?" one confused X user queried.

A second agreed: "Looks like a large tent." A third person quipped: "The Cirque du Seven Nil." A fourth joked: "Is that a tent over it or just cobwebs from your trophy cabinet?" Scores more, meanwhile, compared it's appearance to Butlin's holiday resorts.

"Butlins Manchester opening soon," one X user shared. Another added: "Can't wait to watch Tottenham play Butlins away." A third commented: "Can’t see the stadium I think somebody’s built a Butlins tent in front of it." Whilst replied: "Now the Manchester United circus will have its big top, because the football it shows is laughable."

United believe the stadium and wider regeneration project, part of the government’s growth agenda, can deliver an additional £7.3bn per year to the UK economy. Whilst it is estimated the new stadium project will create up to 92,000 new jobs and more than 17,000 new homes, as well as attracting an additional 1.8 million visitors annually.

Lord Norman Foster, a world-renowned English architect and designer, is the Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster & Partners who have been appointed to design the stadium district. He told fans: "This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance.

"It all starts with the fans experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar."

Lord Foster continued: "The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square. The outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature.

"It is a mixed-use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of."