MANCHESTER UNITED legend Ryan Giggs says the club’s new ‘circus’ stadium is “not going to happen.”
The Red Devils revealed images and graphics of the 100,000-seater super-ground they are planning to build near Old Trafford.
An Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force – organised by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe – confirmed plans to demolish United’s legendary stadium and build a brand new home on adjacent land.
They are hoping their new home will be up and running in five years’ time.
Architects at Foster and Partners, who will be designing the project, said the stadium would feature an umbrella design.
And that got some fans talking on social media as several believe that tent surrounding the stadium makes it look like a “circus”.
And Giggs didn’t seem too excited about it either when discussing it ahead of the inaugural gala dinner for Foundation 92, an independent charity that was founded by the Class of ’92.
In fact, the legendary winger, who attended along fellow Class of ’92 star Nicky Butt, predicted the “New Trafford” stadium won’t look exactly as the graphics suggest.
Giggs told the Manchester Evening News: “I think everyone, if it was possible, would like to keep the stadium as it is.
“What they’ve done at the Nou Camp, what they’ve done at the [Santiago] Bernabeu. If that isn’t possible, then the next best thing is a new stadium.
“Man Utd has always been at the forefront of technology, about having the best facilities, having the best stadium, having the best fan experience and we fell behind with that.
“As well as on the pitch, off the pitch, we fell behind with a lot of things.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Paul Scholes says ‘it’s about time Manchester United caught up'” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369992556112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“The design is not going to look like that, I don’t think. I think when you see buildings and it gets the headlines and it’s that sort of shock.
“But if it is going to be a new stadium, which it looks like, it needs to be the best. Hopefully we get the best players on the pitch as well.”
Giggs added when asked about the “circus” design: “I don’t think it’s going to happen!”
United believe they can continue to use Old Trafford — their home for the past 115 years — until the new stadium is ready.
[quote credit=”Ryan Giggs”]I think everyone, if it was possible, would like to keep the stadium as it is.[/quote]Nothing has been decided regarding their existing ground but ideas about scaling it down and using it for youth and women’s games are now considered unlikely.
Architects involved in the project anticipate it could be bulldozed within a year of the final game.
United chief executive Omar Berrada confirmed that a final decision regarding Old Trafford has yet to be taken but stressed it’s “unlikely” they will keep it in operation.