OLD TRAFFORD is undergoing building work that has seen grotty old seats dumped in a skip.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has plans to develop Manchester United’s 114-year-old stadium with it being suggested a new ground could be built.
Ratcliffe, 71, has previously expressed a desire to build a “Wembley of the North” for Manchester United.
In the meantime, Old Trafford has been in desperate need of renovation.
This has included fixing the roof, which leaked during bad weather in the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Work has appeared to start at the historic venue as hundreds of seats have been stripped out.
They have been dumped in a skip outside of The Stretford End of the stadium.
It is believed that the work will relate to the redesigning of the player’s tunnel in the ground.
A club statement read: “The objective is to create a performance environment that will inspire and motivate our men’s, women’s and Academy players on matchday.
“Led by the football department, this summer’s refurbishment will introduce a more modern and premium space for the squads to utilise.”
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As part of the work, the plaques in memory of former president John Henry Davis and owner James Gibson will be moved inside the tunnel.
To help raise funds for a new stadium the club are looking at the possibility of selling the naming rights.
It has been suggested that one option would be to keep the iconic Old Trafford name but to have a brand as an associated partner.
This would be similar to the deal between Wembley Stadium and EE.
The club has also controversially increased the cost of season tickets by five per cent for the coming season in order to boost funds.
And reports suggest that further price hikes have been discussed.
Ratcliffe believes refurbishing Old Trafford will cost £1bn and a new home could need over £2bn of funding.
There has also been some aesthetic changes outside the ground.
The Cristiano Ronaldo mural on The Trafford pub has been replaced by one of Sir Bobby Charlton.
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