Manchester United fans are split over whether Old Trafford needs to be revamped and redeveloped in an expansion plan, or knocked down and replaced entirely.
Supporters were reacting to comments made by one of the architects behind proposals on Wednesday. Among the options on the table are to both expand the stadium and capacity.
Planners also wish to redevelop the stadium from top to bottom in the view that Old Trafford has fallen behind the likes of the Emirates Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Populous and Legends International have been tasked with the overhaul after their work on Spurs’ new home.
READ MORE: Manchester United architects issue update over Old Trafford redevelopment
Managing Director Christopher Lee said: “It's about trying to understand what the club is about, what the supporters are about. What the location is, what the site is, what the community wants to try and create stuff that is super site-specific.”
There had been previous calls by some United fans to knock down Old Trafford entirely and start anew with a fresh build. A number of them explained why on Twitter.
@Unitedtunnel: New stadium doesn’t mean you lose history. I’d hire an independent architect to give me the facts about the safety of a 100+-year-old structure, and then decide.
@Greenbay444: I'd prefer a brand new modern stadium.
@hamezhill: New stadium next to Old Trafford and downscale Old Trafford to host Academy and Women's games. With museum etc remaining.
However, others were keen to retain the structure of the current building, laying down arguments why Old Trafford should be redeveloped rather than replaced.
@MarvTh3Martian1: Nothing better than walking into Old Trafford. You can just feel the history, beautiful stadium. Knocking it down would just be insane! I’d definitely prefer redevelopment over new stadium.
@Kelbo_v2: At first I was all for knocking it down and starting again however, having looked at the US with the baseball grounds I'm all for redevelopment. New roof, completely gut the concourses, on the extra land outside build a mini stadium and fan village.
@matt_johnson_89: A lot of the time when teams move away from historic grounds the new one seems to struggle to recapture the soul of the old place, West Ham being a case in point.
@BurneyMcr1: Think redevelopment for me unless they build a new one back in and around Newton Heath then I’m all for that,
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