Ten Hag's decision and farewell to Old Trafford
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe was present at Old Trafford during Manchester United's draw with Tottenham on Sunday. Prior to the match, he briefly spoke with journalists in the media room. Once his £1.3 billion investment is approved by the Premier League, the new co-owner will oversee sporting matters at the club. He will be joined by Sir Dave Brailsford and former Juventus chief Jean-Claude Blanc.
There are several important matters that Ratcliffe will need to address, with transfers likely being a top priority. However, it is not just the recruitment department that requires improvement. Both Old Trafford and Carrington are in need of upgrades, as United's infrastructure is now lagging behind.
Ratcliffe has committed to investing $300 million (£257 million) into these upgrades by 2024. This investment will be crucial in bringing the facilities up to par.
Our MEN Sport United reporters have outlined the areas that Ratcliffe should focus on first. Samuel Luckhurst suggests that knocking down Old Trafford would be a symbolic gesture, as well as a practical move. The stadium has a large footprint, and there have been discussions about rebuilding it in a way that allows for future expansion.
When asked about his initial impressions of Old Trafford, Ratcliffe hesitated and chose not to comment. It is clear that he may have a negative view of a stadium that, prior to the Glazer era, was considered the best in Europe but now won't even host European Championship matches in 2028.
Symbolically, United has been a club in decline over the past decade. The MEN has even depicted the stadium as cracked, emphasizing the need for repairs and improvements.