Manchester United move one step closer to Sir Jim Ratcliffe realising Wembley of the North dream

Manchester United involving Lord Norman Foster's architecture firm Foster and Partners in assessing their regeneration at Old Trafford after already working on the refurbishment of Carrington will be music to the ears of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

While the club have yet to confirm plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium that the Manchester Evening News reported this summer, Ratcliffe has made known his preference for a so-called 'Wembley of the North'. Foster's studio just so happened to work on Wembley, albeit on the aesthetic facades rather than the technical requirement.

Populous were responsible for the latter and have previously been hired to explore the feasibility of United building a new home. Despite sources not regarding them as stadium experts, Foster's firm have been favoured over masterplanners Populous since Ratcliffe took charge.

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United's chief operating officer Collette Roche claims they "know that Foster + Partners is the best partner" to help them develop their clear vision and plans "to transform and revitalise the club-owned land around Old Trafford".

"This is an area of Greater Manchester ready for major new investment so that it can thrive once more, and we are determined to help deliver those outcomes."

“We want this area to become a true destination, that not only provides an unbeatable matchday experience for our fans, but also supports other forms of entertainment, leisure, business and residential facilities surrounding a world-class stadium. Lord Foster has unrivalled experience in delivering projects of this scale and ambition.”

Foster himself said: "As a proud Mancunian, I am passionate about the chance to rebuild on Manchester’s great industrial heritage, creating a vibrant new mixed-use community, served by highly sustainable and improved transport links, providing homes and jobs for the local community, all catalysed by a world-class stadium for the world’s most famous football team - Manchester United."