A Manchester City executive is pleased with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposal to transform Old Trafford into a ‘Wembley of the North’, but hopes that United will take notes from their competitors. During a presentation at the MIPIM property conference in the French Riviera, Marty Edelman, a City Football Group board member, praised Manchester United’s decision as ‘outstanding’. This statement follows the announcement from the club’s co-owner, Sir Jim, who expressed plans to replace Old Trafford with a new stadium that could serve as a national venue and lead to the redevelopment of the surrounding area. The club has established a new group to investigate the potential choices. Mr Edelman discussed Man City’s achievements in revitalizing areas of the city, particularly Ancoats, during a speech at MIPIM. He stated that the partnership between the club and Manchester council to renovate the dilapidated area was partially driven by the positive social effects it would bring. He confessed to the audience that when the club was initially acquired, its leaders admired its competitors at Man United and saw them as examples to emulate. Mr. Edelman expressed enthusiasm for United’s redevelopment plans for Old Trafford. What reason do we have not to? However, he continued by stating that United should take notes from City and improve.
