SIR JIM RATCLIFFE is set to lobby the UK Government to help make Manchester United’s stadium the “Wembley of the North”.
The home of the Red Devils, Old Trafford, has been in an increasingly sorry state due to a lack of investment in its upkeep.
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This includes a leaky roof for more than a decade, rusting metal around the stadium and recently seeing raw chicken served to guests.
However, new part owner Ratcliffe wants to bring the stadium, first built in 1910 into the 21st century.
The Ineos billionaire’s £1.03billion buy-in will see him takeover 28.9 per cent of the club and comes with a guarantee of £237million of initial investment for Old Trafford.
But SunSport understands Ratcliffe has bold plans for the Theatre of Dreams.
His plans include lobbying the government’s “Levelling Up” pledges to give the north of England a venue to rival the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium.
Ratcliffe is said to be broadly opposed to relocating the club.
However, he believes supporters would welcome plans to build a new world-leading stadium on the land surrounding Old Trafford.
Another plan under consideration is to redevelop the South Stand of the 74,000-capacity ground.
Current estimates put expansion could cost at least £800m, while building a completely new ground would cost up to £2bn.
The Telegraph claims Ratcliffe has already opened dialogue with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and other officials in Trafford Council over the future of the ground.
This has come while they simultaneously explore their financial options.
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