Proposals to expand Old Trafford have moved closer, with Manchester United set to choose a master planner to oversee a widespread upgrade.
No figure has yet been signed off with regards to capacity, but the club are looking at a ‘sensible uplift’ from the current 74,140.
Officials say they want to ensure the stadium remains full, following extensive work, but it is unlikely any upgrade would see anything below 80,000.
United have been shown a number of proposals and are close to picking a blueprint for the stadium’s future and have met with architectural and engineering companies.
While talks are ongoing, both general admission and corporate areas will be revamped and extended.
For a number of years the railway line behind the South Stand has presented logistical expansion issues. However, advances in technology mean that is no longer the problem it was. United have been presented with plans to increase that stand’s capacity.
The club have also appointed a master planner to oversee a revamp of their Carrington training complex, with the aim to turn it into one of the finest practice facilities in the world.
The proposals will also turn the complex into what chief operating officer Collette Roche told a fans’ forum would be ‘a fully integrated, three-group facility’ for their men’s, women’s and academy sides.
There had been concerns that United would have to leave Old Trafford while work is carried out, but they now intend to stay. The final design will need planning permission.
Meanwhile, United’s interim boss Ralf Rangnick wants his players fully vaccinated after a Covid-19 outbreak disrupted the start of his time in charge. United’s games against Brentford and Brighton were postponed earlier this month and the club were twice forced to shut down first-team operations at Carrington.
Rangnick said: ‘We have to encourage players to behave in a disciplined way with regard to contact, and we also need to make sure we have most of them vaccinated.
'We have a high record of vaccination — but the last two weeks have shown that even if you are vaccinated, you can still catch the virus.’
United are almost back to full strength ahead of Monday’s trip to Newcastle, with Paul Pogba the only absentee from training on Thursday.
Additional reporting: Chris Wheeler
