MANCHESTER UNITED appear to be ditching the controversial canopy from their new Old Trafford stadium plans — after huge land-buying problems left the club stuck.
The giant “umbrella” roof, which caused a storm when it was revealed in March, looks set to be scrapped, according to a report on the Athletic.
The canopy, designed by Sir Norman Foster and championed by club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, was supposed to cover fans from the weather and create a stadium like no other.
But talks to buy the land needed to build the massive canopy have hit a brick wall.
The freight company Freightliner owns much of the land United wanted west of Old Trafford — space needed for the new stadium and thousands of homes.
Freightliner are demanding a whopping £400million, way above United’s £50million estimate, according to the report.
The company could move its freight terminal — but only if it gets a big payday.
Because of this, United are scrambling to rethink the whole project.
New drawings are being drawn up without the “vast umbrella,” which Foster once called a stunning feature.
But others loved how the three giant prongs holding the canopy looked like the devil’s trident on the club badge.
Ratcliffe said back in March the stadium would be a “world icon” — a building everyone would recognise as Manchester United’s home.
He said: “When anybody in the world sees that stadium, they’ll know it’s Manchester United.”
But with the canopy off the table, the new designs will look more traditional — less flashy, but more practical.
United want to keep the project moving fast and avoid costly delays from the land fight.
The club has asked the government for help with funding for infrastructure around the new stadium.
But six months on, no cash has been confirmed.
Local mayor Andy Burnham said talks with Freightliner were “far from being concluded,” but the city can use compulsory purchase powers if needed.
Freightliner’s UK rail and road operations are about to be bought by French shipping giant CMA CGM — and what that means for United’s land talks is unclear.
United have yet to hire a final stadium architect, with a tender underway.
Foster + Partners, who designed the original canopy, are busy with the new San Siro stadium in Milan but remain favourites.
The stadium was originally budgeted to cost around £2billion — but United’s finances remain tight.
United told fans the stadium designs so far are just “concepts” — with more detailed plans and fan input still to come.
They promised the new stadium will be the “heart of the masterplan” to regenerate the area around Old Trafford.
The saga continues — but for now, the giant canopy that captured imaginations looks set to be just a memory.
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