Manchester United have designs on upgrading the size and seating of Old Trafford from 75,000 to 88,000 capacity. United are hoping to add and expand corporate hospitality seating (because isn’t that rule #1 of all stadium renovations and expansions- increase the corporate hospitality suites?) but they may delay those plans in order to address a more pressing need first.
The United front office wants to make sure manager Jose Mourinho has all the sufficient funding he needs to improve the squad in the summer transfer market. Basically, it’s get a much needed upgrade in central defense and holding midfielder now (take care of the short term), beef up Old Trafford (long term concerns) later.
While the proposals are under review, a club insider has told Sportsmail that the financial priority is to ensure the manager has the funds he needs to improve his squad.
Mourinho has sought talks with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about the subdued atmosphere at the ground, while supporters have criticised Old Trafford’s layout, complaining that it does not make for a raucous environment.
Mourinho has already spent £300 million on players since arriving in May of 2016, but given the wide gap between the two Manchester clubs in the Premier League table right now, it’s very clear that more augmentations are needed. The Old Trafford atmosphere has been an issue as well, with Mourinho calling out the fans on occasion. Just yesterday, the Manchester United Supporters Trust submitted their suggestions for how to improve the atmosphere at the Theatre of Dreams.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube.