Ownership and executive levels of Manchester United continue to face a lot of deserved criticism.
Between embarrassing new business practices of the club, skyrocketing ticket prices, and complete Glazer ineptitude, many are demanding change.
Eventually moving away from Old Trafford in itself isn’t inherently a negative. The stadium will always hold a lot of football history. Fans will furthermore remember it long after its removal. Building a replacement with more modern features and greater capacity can be the next part of the club’s future. Sir Jim Ratcliffe released the announcement with a lot of understandable skepticism.
Old adage playing out in real time
The Latin author, Juvenal, wrote a series of poems in Satires. From it stems one of the more well-known phrases, “Bread and circuses.” The author discussed how fleeting crowd loyalty and demands can be. True desires are simple among people. Having just enough to survive and being distracted are enough to exercise true civil responsibility, according to the words written long ago, and those in power utilize this knowledge to their advantage.
Fast forward to today, and the parallels are clear at Man Utd. Not only is the quality on the pitch suffering from poor backroom decisions, but the infrastructure also causes structural damage in both a literal and administrative sense at the club.
This past weekend’s Premier League match saw organized protests aimed at highlighting and voicing displeasure with many handlings at United. The Glazers ownership continues to take advantage of devoted fan loyalty, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s fixes are seen as half-measures at best.
INEOS parading the new-look 100,000-person arena is a diversion. Work isn’t expected to start until later this year, at the earliest, and the project will not be completed for roughly five to six years from now.
Manchester United’s new stadium will be visible from the Peak District, parts of Cheshire and even the outskirts of Liverpool
pic.twitter.com/yzDNktmxRl
— utdreport (@utdreport) March 11, 2025
Many are seeing through this publicity stunt for what it is. This is an attempt to mitigate the poor perception of those currently in charge.
Lasting memory of Old Trafford for Man Utd supporters
This again isn’t to imply that the old grounds should be the forever home. The current stadium has many known issues. It is, furthermore, exciting when looking at the new modern look of the proposed infrastructure. After 115 years, it is time for a well-deserved retirement.
Make no mistake, however. Those voicing their displeasure with the club’s handling need to continue to do so. Efforts made to point out hierarchal incompetence and indifference need to continue.
It’s ok to have excitement about the new stadium as well. Keeping focused on the issues that matter will remain most important, with or without flashy blueprints.
Some are poking fun at the architectural nods to the United trident, claiming to see more of a circus tent. The comparison is fair in terms of what the club has emulated, rather than operating as a top football club in the world.
While opposition fans may snigger at the symbolism of the three towering red towering masts, it will be ever vital for the fandom to ensure that the legitimacy of these claims becomes less and less fitting in the business itself. Those in power at Man Utd need to continue to feel public pressure. Avoiding giving in to the complacency of the “bread and circuses” is critical for the club’s health.
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