Manchester United’s plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium could take until 2035, with a Trafford Council masterplan placing the project within a development phase running from 2031 to 2035, according to City AM.

The project has been one of the major priorities for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS since the British billionaire acquired a minority stake in the club in 2024.

However, the latest information could create further frustration for supporters who have been waiting for clarity over the future of Old Trafford and the timeline for a new home.

Manchester United Stadium Included in Second Phase of Development

The potential delay is linked to the Trafford Wharfside Strategic Masterplan Consultation Draft, produced by Trafford Council.

The document divides the wider regeneration project into different phases. The first phase covers the period between 2025 and 2030, but the proposed Manchester United stadium is not included within that timeframe.

Instead, the new stadium is listed as part of the second phase, which runs from 2031 to 2035.

This does not necessarily confirm that construction will only begin in 2031 or that the stadium cannot open earlier. However, the proposed timeline has raised questions about whether United can deliver the project as quickly as initially hoped.

The club has previously outlined plans for a stadium costing more than £2 billion, with the ambition of creating what the club describes as a world-class sporting venue.

Why Manchester United’s Original Five-Year Stadium Target Is Under Pressure

When the stadium plans were first announced in March 2025, Ratcliffe suggested that the project could be completed within five years.

The INEOS owner also made a light-hearted comment about the proposed timeframe, saying: “I’d rather spend five years than 10 years. I might not be here in 10 years!”

The original five-year timeframe led to expectations that the new stadium could be ready around 2030. More recently, however, the potential opening date had reportedly moved closer to 2032.

Collette Roche, Manchester United’s chief executive for New Stadium Development, has also discussed the club’s ambition to deliver the venue in time for the 2035 Women’s World Cup.

A 2035 opening would leave little room for further delays if Manchester United are to pursue their ambition of hosting the tournament’s final.

Manchester United’s New Stadium Project Still Has Major Steps to Complete

Manchester United confirmed in June that it had secured the majority of the land required for the new stadium.

The proposed venue would be built approximately 350 metres north-west of the existing Old Trafford, forming part of a wider regeneration project that could include new homes, jobs and improved infrastructure.

Despite the progress, the stadium has not yet reached the construction stage. Planning, funding and further development work will still be required before building can begin.

The club’s official position remains that it wants to deliver a world-class 100,000-capacity stadium as part of the transformation of the Old Trafford area.

For now, the 2035 timeframe should be viewed as an indication within the council’s wider masterplan rather than a confirmed opening date.

Nevertheless, the latest documents provide another reminder of the scale and complexity of the project, with supporters likely to want further clarity from United as plans continue to develop.