Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada has acknowledged the challenges of simultaneously building a world-class squad and constructing a new 100,000-seat stadium. The club announced plans on Tuesday to develop the £2bn venue on land adjacent to Old Trafford, aiming for completion by the 2030-31 season.
Berrada admitted the financial demands of the project could impact the team’s competitiveness, referencing Arsenal and Tottenham’s struggles balancing stadium construction with on-field success.
Balancing Investment in Squad and Stadium
“That is a risk,” Berrada said. “It’s something we want to avoid. We don’t want to limit our ability to invest in the team while we build a new stadium.”
To mitigate the impact, United are exploring ways to accelerate construction timelines, with the ambition of completing the stadium within five years.
“In the meantime, by restoring financial stability and becoming profitable, we believe we can remain highly competitive,” Berrada added. “The club’s biggest advantage is having the largest fanbase in the world, which gives us the potential to lead in revenue generation.”
A Long-Term Vision with Amorim
Berrada also expressed hope that Ruben Amorim would still be in charge when the club moves into the new stadium.
“We’d love to open the new stadium with Ruben as head coach,” he said.
The Portuguese manager is currently under contract until June 2027, with an option for an additional year, and is seen as a key figure in United’s long-term plans.
