Manchester United reportedly set to ditch canopy design at new stadium

Manchester United is reportedly preparing to ditch plans to have a canopy over its planned new stadium.

Concept images of the club’s 100,000-seater stadium was revealed in March, featuring a vast, umbrella-like canopy.

Under the plans drawn up by architect Foster & Partners, the canopy would be visible for miles around on a clear day with three 200m-tall spires inspired by the devil’s trident on the club’s crest.

But, according to The Athletic, the canopy is set to be scrapped because Freightliner, the company which owns land west of the existing ground over which the footprint of the proposed canopy would extend, has increased its asking price for the land.

Freightliner is now asking for £400m for the land, eight times the £50m price initially expected by Manchester United, according to The Athletic.

United are now said to be considering more traditional options for the stadium without the canopy, which served mainly an aesthetic purpose.

The feature has also been controversial with fans, being likened by some to a circus tent and criticised as having little relation to Manchester’s skyline or industrial heritage.

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At the time the proposals were unveiled, the club’s minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe said: “Everyone knows the Eiffel Tower, everyone wants to visit. Everyone in the world will want to come visit this stadium. I think the design of the stadium is a 10 out of 10. I think it’s a really special design.”

Ratcliffe said large parts of it will be built offsite, claiming the job could be ready in time for the 2030/31 season.

In March, Building revealed Laing O’Rourke had thrown its hat into the ring for the job and last month chief executive Cathal O’Rourke said the scheme was still on its radar as it unveiled its annual results.

Fosters and Manchester United have been contacted for comment.