Collette Roche, Manchester United’s CEO of New Stadium Development has provided an update on the Old Trafford Regeneration project. Speaking on the club’s official podcast, Roche discussed the state of play with land assembly, investment and fan engagement.

Recent reports on United’s new home have suggested that the project will be significantly delayed due to the land at the rear of Old Trafford reportedly being unavailable to be vacated by the current tenants, Freightliner, until after 2031.

“On the land assembly, we want to make sure we get the best possible position for the stadium, one which has got plenty of land around it to put the right facilities in place, one that is connected and offers a great matchday experience. I have been spending a lot of time talking to all of the local land owners to understand where that needs to be and we are progressing that really, really well. I am hoping to be able to share some positive news on that front in the next few months,” said Roche, when discussing the current situation regarding the land available to the club at this moment in time.

The first renderings of United’s proposed new stadium were released in early 2025, and Roche has confirmed that these plans are still the basis of the favoured route that the club wishes to take in the development phase going forward.

“It’s the same ambition, same vision, we want to build a stadium that’s befitting of our past but also fit for the future. We want to make that we keep what’s important. The special memories that people have had, not just for our fans but for our players, so we need to create a new stadium that retains that essence, the matchday routines, the emotion, the intimidating atmosphere for the away fans and make sure that we build something really, really special. And we think we can do that through a 100,000-seater stadium. Because we’re so blessed, we’ve got a season-ticket waiting list, so we think it’s our duty and our desire to give them the opportunity to come and witness what we know will be a fantastic experience in our new stadium.”

Roche also confirmed that United are “on track” in terms of the progress of the project, emphasising the magnitude of the task ahead, saying that “stadium builds as complex as the one we are going to enter into, take one or two years to get ready for construction, to get the land assembled, the gets the funds in place and to get the planning permission.”

An exact timescale for completion of the new stadium has not been confirmed by the club, as it works to sort out the initial processes in the development phase.