In the final part of our special Q&A, Manchester United reporter Simon Stone focuses on Old Trafford redevelopments and the club’s ownership.
Ryan asked: What is the latest regarding the redevelopment of Old Trafford? When will planning start and construction actually begin?
Simon answered: It does seem to have gone quiet since Sir Jim Ratcliffe unveiled that distinctive trident/circus tent design in March last year.
For the points you make, you may have to be patient but my understanding is something may happen around the land deal with Freightliner at some point this summer.
From there, United can work out what they can build, then they can work out costings, raise the money and submit the plans.
The last conversation I had was that once spades are in the ground, it could be done in two years, with significant segments being shipped in. That is a longer way of saying ‘I don’t know’, but the land deal is needed before anything else.
Michael asked: Are all, or some of the Glazers actually contemplating a sale? What will that mean for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos? Will Manchester United get new investors or new owners? Or will Ineos launch a full takeover of the club?
Simon answered: The latest rumours around a potential sale of some Glazer shares received short shrift when I asked about it. I suppose it can never be totally ruled out because the Glazer family are notoriously secretive and could be thinking of anything.
I do remember, though, until an hour or two before, there was no inclination they were planning anything before they launched their search for investment in November 2022 that led to Sir Jim Ratcliffe buying a minority stake.
In theory, the Glazers could now sell the club to a third party and Ratcliffe would have to go along with it. I am not getting the sense that is likely though, and all I keep hearing is that the two sides of United’s ownership group are aligned.
Also, I am not entirely sure who would buy it. I got the strong impression the Qatari bid fronted by Sheikh Jassim last time around were unimpressed by the whole process and wouldn’t be keen to go through that again.
Check back further down on this page to find the rest of Simon’s Q&A
