An ambitious scheme to build a new 100,000-seat Manchester United stadium surrounded by multiple new neighbourhoods on the Wharfside land promises 15,000 new homes, hotels, shops, restaurants, and bars, along with 48,000 new jobs. But residents living near the current Old Trafford stadium have mixed emotions, hoping the regeneration will address long-standing issues like traffic, public urination, crime, and lack of opportunities.
Residents' hopes for change
One woman, whose home backs onto Old Trafford, told the Manchester Evening News: "I massively welcome any development because I feel so sorry for the people that come to see Old Trafford and they walk down our street and they're a bit like 'is this it?' This is such an embarrassing place for a world class football team." She stressed that development must reflect how people actually live, including car travel and local services: "You need parks and GP surgeries and schools and nurseries."
Andrea Wilson, 44, who is currently looking for work, said: "It could create some jobs for everybody in the area. I'm all for it." She also highlighted the need for safe activities for children, citing gang issues and drug dealing: "Make the area a bit safer and give the kids something to do."
Safety and security concerns
Haris Mahmood, 42, an AI developer, said the development would increase land value and security: "You can see everybody around here has cameras. If it's a tourism development area, there will be lots of security." He also hoped for cleaner streets and more infrastructure. Security worker Dariusz Borowski, 45, added: "We need investment in cleaning, new homes, new footpaths. More companies will come."
Keith Vernon, 77, who has lived next to the stadium for 50 years, said: "Matchday is hellish. People have put gates across their property to stop people urinating. You've got young kids who don't want to see blokes with their genitals hanging out." He doubted the development would happen within 10 years but hoped construction traffic would use canals to avoid road congestion.
Infrastructure and services under strain
Diane Bell, 61, worried about stretched GP services: "To see a GP now you have to fill in a form and they call you back maybe within two days. Have they got the infrastructure to support all these new homes?" Semi-retired Jennifer Ward, 78, said there were already too many new homes with no doctors, dentists, shops, or parking. "It'll just get worse," she said.
Trafford council's Wharfside masterplan has been met with optimism and scepticism. Some residents, like a gentleman who declined to give his name, said they would "believe it when they see it." The new stadium, set to be the largest football ground in the UK, will replace the historic Old Trafford, causing sadness among fans but excitement for the future.
