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Manchester United plan to redevelop Old Trafford cancelled over massive costs – with capacity set to go DOWN

Club chiefs wanted to increase the size of their stadium but were facing a £750million bill

MANCHESTER UNITED’S plans to increase Old Trafford’s capacity have hit the buffers over staggering £750million costs.

The railway line behind the stadium would need to be moved - and residents rehoused - if the initial scheme to expand the Bobby Charlton Stand went ahead.

 Manchester United can already fit over 75,000 people into Old Traford
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Manchester United can already fit over 75,000 people into Old TrafordCredit: Getty Images - Getty

And those redevelopment estimates are soaring near the £1BILLION mark.

United’s current capacity is over 75,000 and they could easily fill seats if they went up to 90,000 to match Wembley as the biggest stadium in England.

But redeveloping the old South Stand would mean building outwards as well as upwards.

The incredible costs mean expanding is not in the short-term plans at the moment.

 Manchester United wanted to increase the capacity of Old Trafford
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Manchester United wanted to increase the capacity of Old TraffordCredit: Reuters
 A railway line would have to be moved for the redevelopment to go ahead
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A railway line would have to be moved for the redevelopment to go aheadCredit: Getty Images - Getty

United chiefs could look at making the Theatre of Dreams bigger in years to come but it is on the agenda at the moment.

And the capacity is set to go DOWN by 2020 as there is a new section for disabled fans that is planned.


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Jose Mourinho has turned the iconic ground into something of a fortress - equalling a club record 40 home games unbeaten with the draw against CSKA Moscow.

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 Manchester City snapped United's unbeaten streak at Old Trafford
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Manchester City snapped United's unbeaten streak at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters

But the run came to a halt when Manchester City visited.

Pep Guardiola's side were too strong for their bitter rivals and came away with a 2-1 victory.

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