Manchester United appoint SAME architects who designed Tottenham stadium to redevelop Old Trafford

Manchester United have taken the first significant step to redeveloping Old Trafford after appointing a team of consultants to create a masterplan for the project.

Legends International and Populous, who were involved in the building of the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, have won the contract to work on the 112-year-old venue.

It emerged last month that bulldozing Old Trafford and rebuilding it from scratch was one of the more drastic options being considered. United have been looking at the possibility of extending the older South Stand over a railway line for some time, and also have the option of a large amount of additional land available next to the site.

Manchester United have taken a step forward in plans to redevelop their iconic Old Trafford

Legends International and Populous, who were involved in the building of the stunning new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (pictured), have won the contract to redevelop Old Trafford

Old Trafford’s South Stand, which backs onto a railway line, could be knocked down and revamped as one option by United

Completely reconstructing English football’s most famous club stadium would be an extraordinary move by United

Old Trafford is 112 years old and one of football’s most recognisable stadiums 

Sources say the club remains open-minded about the redevelopment, adding that it will ‘focus on modernisation and potential expansion’ while aiming to ‘preserve the identity and heritage of Old Trafford’.

They believe the plan signals United’s commitment to deliver on chairman Joel Glazer’s promise of renewed investment in the club infrastructure.

United are also planning to redevelop their Carrington training base with the KSS Group appointed to draw up a masterplan for that project.

A club statement read: ‘Manchester United has appointed a team of leading consultants to begin work on creating a masterplan for the redevelopment of Old Trafford. 

The Stretford End, located to the west of the ground, is usually where the club’s most hardcore supporters are housed

 In recent years, other stadiums in England have overtaken United’s – much to the dismay of the club’s avid fanbase 

‘The team will be led by Legends International and Populous, both of which have a wealth of stadium development experience from across the globe.

‘Work will begin immediately on developing options for Old Trafford and studying their feasibility, with the aim of significantly enhancing the fan experience.

‘Fans will be at the heart of the process, starting with a meeting between the consultants and the Manchester United fans’ advisory board later this month.

‘A similar process is already under way in relation to the club’s training facilities, with KSS appointed to develop a masterplan for an expanded, state-of-the-art facility for the men’s, women’s and academy teams.’

One issue for United if they were to knock Old Trafford down would be that they would have to find somewhere else to play