Daily Mail reporter reckons Manchester United should demolish Old Trafford

Originally posted on Stretty News | By Dale O'Donnell | Last updated 5/14/24

Manchester United should tear down Old Trafford and build a brand new stadium like Tottenham, according to Daily Mail reporter Ian Ladyman.

The It’s All Kicking Off podcast host made the claim after images of the disrepair of Old Trafford once again went viral after the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal.

Leandro Trossard scored the only goal of the game in the first half following a lapse in concentration from Casemiro at centre-back. Even though Arsenal won the match to keep their Premier League title hopes alive, the fallout of the game focused on the backdrop of a torrent of water leaking through the Old Trafford roof.

Images after the game showed flood of water cascading down the stands and into the tunnel.

Other images from the away dressing room showed water leaking through the ceiling.

United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was present at Old Trafford to survey matchdays. He witnessed the roof leaks up close, as did Sir Jim Brailsford and other Old Trafford regeneration task force members.

Rather than renovate the current stadium, Ladyman claims that United should look to demolish it and build a new one – playing their home matches at Wembley in the interim.

“Old Trafford really is falling down, as the Arsenal fans were singing as they waited to go home,” Ladyman told It’s Kicking Off. “It’s embarrassing really.

“I think they should tear Old Trafford down, play at Wembley for two years, build a new one. There are other people who think that can never happen and they need to rebuild it and modernise it.”

'Ladyman has '@Ian_Ladyman_DM floats the idea of #MUFC playing at Wembley to @Chris_Sutton73 on 'It's All Kicking Off!'

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— Mail Sport (@MailSport) May 13, 2024

Ladyman seems to completely ignore the local fans who will face tricky obstacles to make matches in London every second week. With tricky kick-off times, it’s not always easy to get back to Manchester – simply look at Monday night’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace last week.

Former Chelsea striker and member of the It’s Kicking Off podcast, Chris Sutton, was not convinced by Ladyman’s argument. He replied: “You know you’ve lost your marbles. Ladyman’s lost his marbles.”

United playing their home matches in London would be a nightmare. It’s an extreme take and hopefully it doesn’t become reality.

This article first appeared on Stretty News and was syndicated with permission.

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