There’s something special about Old Trafford isn’t there? A stadium that has an aura that can’t be matched anywhere else.
Where the Busby babes played, George Best, Bryan Robson, Cantona, the treble winners, Beckham’s right foot, Rooney’s overhead kick, Andreas Pereira hitting one-man walls from free-kicks, a Phil Jones corner. It has seen everything.
As a match-going fan, it never lost that special feeling but a long-standing problem has existed around the ground for years now. The Glazers joined in 2005 and then, it was the best ground in the country.
It was nearing the end of an extension and the ground’s capacity soared to 76,000. Then, it was left to leak, rust and the bogs flooded. Good luck getting a pint at half-time a d getting back to your seat in tome too.
The Glazers allowed the stadium to deteriorate, bringing on a question that most of us felt we would never even consider.
Old Trafford has seen many great players and moments down the years
Do we need to build a new ground or do we invest in the current stadium?
Manchester United should have the best in class, and that includes the stadium. Sir Jim and his 25% investment is supposed to be just on the sporting side of the club, but his ambitions grow beyond that as the reports state he wants to make Old Trafford the ‘Wembley of the North’.
How does he go about that? Build from scratch? Renovate Old Trafford in its current form? A question that we never considered 20 years ago, maybe even 10 years ago.
So let’s look at both arguments, shall we?
Redeveloping the current stadium
There are a lot of reasons to do this but there is one glaringly obvious one.
History.
A hundred-plus years in that place. Barring the Second World War, the core structure has remained and has seen some of the club’s greatest-ever memories.
In essence, there would be no ifs or buts, Old Trafford would remain exactly that, Old Trafford. It’s been part of every single one of our lives. Even the friends you have that don’t support United. It’s a landmark that everybody knows. From Gorse Hill to Guatemala, It’s famous.
A place where legends are made
Want to hear a story? No? Well, I’m telling you anyway because it’s my article and I’ll do what I want.
My first ever game was in 2002 at 5 years old. I walked with my dad from my house in Gorse Hill to the Railway Club. My dad ordered a pint and I got a packet of Scampi fries (yes I was a strange child but they’re well nice). Half an hour before kick-off we walked to the ground and my Dad had the crack with a few lads like you do when you’re in the concourse. I got a packet of Jaffa Cakes and ate them very quickly, too quickly, but we’ll get onto that in a minute. The game started and I remember United not playing particularly well.
I also remember Brad Friedel having his traditional ‘I am the greatest goalkeeper’ performance against us too. We went 1-0 up from a penalty. (Yes I have googled a couple of bits, I was five years old for feck’s sake and drunk on Jaffa cakes), then, Blackburn equalised.
Fast forward to around minute 78’.
“Dad I feel sick”
“Come on son” As he saw I’d turned as white as a ghost.
We left and walked down the Munich tunnel only for me to spew up everywhere. Then, Old Trafford roared as Roy Keane scored the winner. I bent down to be sick, stood up straight to cheer, Bent back down to be sick and then asked if I could go back in only for the steward to say I wasn’t allowed. She probably thought I was a typical Gorse Hill drunk on Jager at five years old.
That’s my first match and memory of going to Old Trafford. My dad still remembers taking his son to his first-ever game. I remember what happened almost like it was yesterday.
Old Trafford is special. History can be maintained if the job is done properly.
Would it feel the same if we built a new stadium?
Rebuild on the same site
Rebuilding could be a fresh start. A lease of new life in what could be the start of life for United after the Glazers leave the club. The club owns a lot of land around the current site. Building further away from the railway line eradicates the issue it currently faces.
A brand new design of a stadium that could encapsulate everything that has made this club great. It is a clear way to keep its history but also welcome its future. The Stretford End would still be the Stretford End. A new Munich Tunnel to permanently allow a tribute to the Busby Babes.
State-of-the-art facilities on the same land that allows the club to keep its identity.
Bayern Munich arguably did it, and Juventus too. Could we not?
Could this, or something similar, be the Reds’ new home?
For me, there simply isn’t a right answer. In the last ten years of becoming an adult, graduating from University, getting a job and going to games on my own, with friends and with my girlfriend, I have been able to create my own memories, albeit not because of what happened on the pitch.
I went with the girl I will one day call my wife to a game for the first time. After promising her for years as her friend, I got to take her to the Leeds game that finished 2-2. She nearly didn’t get invited back mind but I’ll always remember our first game together.
I won a competition in a local pub in Urmston to watch Solskjaer’s United beat Lampard’s Chelsea 4-0 with my best mate. I saw Robin Van Persie, the man responsible for our 20th and our last title win come back and score against us to then receive a standing ovation from us all. A special moment.
I don’t know what would be the best scenario for the club when it comes to the stadium. Ultimately, it’s a shame it was ever allowed to get to this point because of owners who let it rot through a simple lack of care.
What I do know is, Old Trafford holds a very special place to every one of us around the world.
Whether we build somewhere new or renovate where we are, the most important thing is this:
Whenever you walk into the place, whether that be taking your son for the first time, half-pissed after leaving Mulligans after a few Guinnesses, or making a memory with your girlfriend, you know that it’s home.