Source: Manchester Evening News
A Manchester City executive has welcomed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to turn Old Trafford into a ‘Wembley of the North’ – but he hopes that United will learn lessons from their rivals. Marty Edelman, who is a member of the City Football Group board, told an audience at the MIPIM property conference in the French Riviera on Tuesday (March 12) that the move by Manchester United is ‘excellent’.
It comes after the club’s co-owner Sir Jim announced his ambitions to replace Old Trafford with a ground that could be used as a national venue and redevelop the area around the stadium. The club has set up a new task force to explore the options available.
Speaking at MIPIM, Mr Edelman reflected on Man City’s success in regenerating parts of the city, most notably Ancoats. He said the club teaming up with Manchester council to redevelop the ‘rundown’ area was, in part, motivated by the social impact it would have.
He also made an ‘admission’ to the audience, saying that when the club was first taken over, its bosses looked up to its rivals at Man United as role models. Asked about United’s plans to redevelop Old Trafford, Mr Edelman said: “We think it’s great. Why wouldn’t we?”
But he went on to say United should now learn from City. He said: “The value of the rivalry is important to both clubs actually and it’s important to Manchester. We’d rather be the one who wins all the time, but other than that, it’s not good for any of the clubs to fail.
“And I think the description of Old Trafford by its owners is accurate. So I think the fact that the new lead owner is going to make a dramatic move is excellent. I think it’s going to balance out the city and I hope, just as we tried to emulate them on the pitch, I hope they do some of the things we’ve done for the city and with the city because it’s going to make it a better place for everybody.”
Earllier in the event, Mr Edelman said that the club is ‘full of ideas’ for its next steps that will follow the extension of the Etihad Stadium’s North Stand. The plans include a new hotel, office space and a ‘fan experience’ offering food, drink and entertainment.
He also spoke of the new Co-Op Live arena opening nearby. He said the club is now considering creating an ‘apprentice school’.
He said: “We have a destination. We know the destination can provide entertainment. And now can we also have it provide an educational opportunity, particularly in East Manchester where we can give people part-time jobs and they can also learn.”
