Liverpool fans may have to pay for Man Utd's 'Wembley of the North' stadium under controversial plan

Liverpool fans could help pay for Manchester United’s new stadium, it has been claimed.

On Tuesday the Telegraph claimed that incoming minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to replace Old Trafford with a new stadium.

The Ineos petrochemicals billionaire, who is waiting for his United stake to be ratified by the Premier League, allegedly wants to see the club create a “Wembley of the North” to rival the 90,000-seater national stadium in north London

A source close to Ratcliffe told the publication: “He feels the club need an absolute state-of-the-art, knock-it-out-of-the-park, 'wow' stadium.

“And we feel there's a strong argument for the country having a top-class major venue in the North - a Wembley of the North.”

As per the reports, Ratcliffe wants to remain on or close to the existing Old Trafford site that United have called home for 114 years.

United own around 43 acres of land that is ripe for development around Old Trafford. Moreover, a quarter of the total land around the stadium, estimated at around 100 acres, is said to be unused.

The Telegraph report also alleges that Ratcliffe may lobby the UK government for 'Levelling Up' funding to help finance the project, which may cost up to £2billion.

Should the stadium be partially paid for by the taxpayer that would mean fans of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal will all have to contribute to United’s new ground.

Jim Ratcliffe is waiting for his United stake to be ratified by the Premier League (Getty)

The likes of Gary Neville have been very vocal about the need to improve Old Trafford.

"Maybe what Liverpool have done is the way forward," he told Sky Sports late last year.

"If there is a shortage of funds, maybe get one or two stands, absolutely world-class, and the other two follow up over the next five to 10 years. That would be a plan."

He added: "I've heard that there is only a couple of hundred million of pounds or so being spent on Old Trafford. That's nowhere near enough.

"I'd rather have £200m spent on the old stadium and have two parts of Old Trafford looking absolutely amazing.

"It's important that you have pride in where you play and Old Trafford is an amazing stadium."

Topics: Football, Liverpool, Manchester United, Premier League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.