Potential Man United owner decides on Old Trafford naming rights

The potential naming rights of Old Trafford have become a topic of discussion as Sir Jim Ratcliffe considers his plans for Manchester United if his takeover bid succeeds.

Despite earlier claims by Rio Ferdinand that an announcement was imminent, no progress has been made in the ongoing battle between Ratcliffe, the CEO of INEOS, and Sheikh Jassim to wrest control of the club from the Glazer family.

While the Qatari media has also hinted at a potential breakthrough in the ownership saga, the situation remains unchanged, with Ratcliffe still being a prominent contender. However, some supporters are hoping for a Middle Eastern investment, believing it could inject significant funds into the club.

If Ratcliffe emerges as the victorious bidder, he has already made a firm decision regarding the naming rights of Old Trafford.

When asked about the matter, the INEOS CEO stated, as quoted by the Mirror,

“I hadn’t thought of that, but no. That would be heresy. I would not change it. It’s always Old Trafford.”

In recent years, many clubs have opted to sell the naming rights of their stadiums, such as Barcelona’s announcement last season regarding the Spotify Nou Camp. Typically, naming rights are sold when teams inaugurate new stadiums, as seen with Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. However, Tottenham Hotspur did not secure a sponsor for their new ground.

There has been speculation that if new owners take over Manchester United, they might consider rebuilding Old Trafford, as the stadium is in need of redevelopment. Former United player Gary Neville has previously suggested that the club could generate as much as £800 million from selling the naming rights and urged the Glazers to consider it as a means to lower ticket prices.

Neville proposed,

“I would sell the naming rights to Old Trafford if I was at Manchester United for £60, £70, £80 million-a-year. On the understanding that all of the money generated – £800m over ten years – would mean that the whole of the Stretford End would be £10 or £12 to get in, and a proportion of those tickets would go to young people.”

While Neville acknowledged the significance of Old Trafford’s iconic name, he emphasized the potential benefits of sponsorship revenue being allocated toward affordable ticket prices and community outreach programs.

The discussion surrounding Old Trafford’s naming rights highlights the contrasting opinions among fans and former players.

The final decision will ultimately rest with the new owners, should a successful takeover occur, further shaping the future of Manchester United and its historic stadium.