Sir Jim Ratcliffe expects the stadium to be built by 2030<\/a>, but the Red Devils have already come across some major hurdles.<\/p>\n United are being quoted \u00a3400m for a land purchase<\/a> next to Old Trafford, which would be essential for the stadium project to go ahead. Considering work on the stadium was set to begin this year, it has been a frustrating few months with a real lack of progress made.<\/p>\n There are now major concerns that United\u2019s stadium could be delayed<\/a>, and football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes further compromises will be made to the design itself.<\/p>\n Old Trafford already boasts the title of the biggest club stadium in England with a capacity of 74,310<\/a> seats, but Ineos know the club can go bigger.<\/p>\n A 100,000-seater stadium would even overshadow Wembley, which has a capacity of 90,000.<\/p>\n But United in Focus spoke exclusively to Kieran Maguire, and he believes a reduction in size is on the horizon.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there will be an element of scapegoating taking place,\u201d Maguire said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve still not got planning permission. They have to go through that before the first brick is laid.<\/p>\n \u201cInterest rates are much higher than they were when Spurs borrowed for their stadium. Labour costs have increased, labour tax has increased, material costs have increased, and fuel and power costs are your broad overheads and they\u2019ve increased in price.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I would be surprised if United can do this on budget. I expect to see compromises being made, we\u2019ve already seen that with the somewhat laughable canopy idea being dropped.<\/p>\n \u201cI would anticipate that the next big decision will be in terms of ground capacity. 100,000 seats is not necessary. If you take a look at the big stadiums in the United States, which is a far bigger country and has far greater land resources, the sweet spot is in that 70-80,000.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the breakdown of seats will be targeting the corporate sector. Manchester United are no strangers to the prawn sandwich brigade, because it\u2019s the football club for non-football fans to support, and that\u2019s not a dig at genuine Manchester United fans.\u201d<\/p>\n Ineos might have to break promises to Man United fans<\/p>\n When the concept images of United\u2019s new home were shared, it came at a time when the club was in terrible form and in need of distraction.<\/p>\n Talk of the new stadium helped to divert attention away from the disastrous 2024\/25 Premier League campaign and promise hope of a bright new future.<\/p>\n United could earn \u00a3230m per year<\/a> from a 100,000-seater stadium if Ineos are able to follow through with their plans, but it looks less and less likely each month.<\/p>\n Selling out such a capacity would not be an issue for United\u2019s fanbase, but funding and planning for a venue of that size is where the problems lie.<\/p>\n READ MORE: After teasing Old Trafford 2.0, Man United architect reveals new \u00a31bn plan for globally-iconic stadium<\/a><\/p>\n![\"mail](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mail.png\")
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Photo by Ash Donelon\/Manchester United via Getty ImagesMan United could reduce capacity of new stadium<\/p>\n