Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has reiterated that no public funds will be used to build Manchester United's proposed 100,000-seater stadium. Speaking on The Added Time Podcast, Burnham stated: "There will not be a penny of public money going into that."
The project, unveiled in March, is estimated to cost £2 billion and could be completed by 2030. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had suggested taxpayers might contribute, arguing that northern taxpayers deserve a world-class venue. However, Burnham firmly rejected that idea, emphasising that Manchester United will finance the stadium itself.
While no public money will go towards the stadium, a Mayoral Development Corporation has been established to oversee the wider regeneration of the area. Burnham highlighted the public benefits, including a relocated train station, thousands of new homes, and job creation. He said: "It's much wider than the ground itself."
Burnham also confirmed ambitions to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup final at the new stadium. He described the project as a "major growth project for the whole of the north west," with potential to improve rail connectivity by relocating freight tunnels. The design of the stadium is currently paused pending land acquisition negotiations with Freightliner, which owns the rail yard surrounding Old Trafford.
