MANCHESTER UNITED fans have slammed an “unrealistic” feature in their new 100,000-seater stadium plans.
The Red Devils unveiled stunning images of the £2billion “Wembley of North” that will replace Old Trafford.
United’s new home will feature an umbrella design and a new public plaza that is “twice the size of Trafalgar Square”.
Architects at Foster and Partners also confirmed that there will be three towers to hold up the “umbrella” – with a sweeping glass and steel canopy acting as a roof for fans inside and outside the ground.
United have ambitiously predicted that the stadium will be finished within five years.
But fans have taken a sceptical view of a small feature seen in the computer generated images released today.
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Above the stands is a huge wraparound scoreboard that reads that United are 3-0 up.
Fans were not convinced the scoreline would ever be true given the club are currently in the midst of a disastrous season, sitting 14th in the Premier League table.
One hilariously commented: “The most audacious thing from this new stadium project is the fact they’re assuming we’ll be 3-0 up at home.”
Another added: “How unrealistic can you get Man Utd haven’t been 3-0 up since Fergie retired.”
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The eye-catching stadium plans are part of a wider government-backed regeneration of the Trafford Park area.
There will be a Wembley Way-like path up to the stadium that includes plans for a three-storey museum and canal-side shops and restaurants to all be part of a huge fan park.
Approximately 17,000 homes are set to be built and the area will become a major hub of activity, creating 92,000 jobs.
Architect Lord Foster said: “The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square.
“The outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature.
“It is a mixed-use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of.”
For the designs to come to life, the current Old Trafford will be knocked down.
The decision to demolish the club’s spiritual home has been made by the Regeneration Task Force chaired by Lord Coe and including legend Gary Neville and mayor Andy Burnham.
United are currently in £1billion worth of debt and it is unclear how they plan on paying for the new stadium.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
