Manchester United welcome support of government for Old Trafford project

Yesterday at 07:45 AM

• Plan to regenerate the area championed by chancellor
• United CEO hails 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'

Manchester United have welcomed the announcement of government support for the project to regenerate the area around Old Trafford, with the chief executive, Omar Berrada, describing it as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".

A Treasury statement on Saturday evening said the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, was championing the Old Trafford project as "a shining example" of the government's plans to promote economic growth. A new venue – either redeveloping the current stadium to increase the capacity to 87,000 or building a new ground which could hold 100,000 fans – is at the heart of the regeneration project.