Man Utd's Old Trafford redevelopment hailed as 'project of a lifetime' in contrast to Queen Elizabeth II memorial by 90-year-old architect behind £2bn stadium plans

Manchester United’s £2 billion ($2.7bn) redevelopment of Old Trafford has been billed as a "project of a lifetime" by the architect that drew up ambitious plans for the stunning new ground. The Premier League giants have revealed that they intend to build a new 100,000-seater stadium that will more than deliver on Sir Jim Ratcliffe's dreams to construct a "Wembley of the North".

Man Utd's Old Trafford redevelopment hailed as 'project of a lifetime' in contrast to Queen Elizabeth II memorial by 90-year-old architect behind £2bn stadium plansMan Utd's Old Trafford redevelopment hailed as 'project of a lifetime' in contrast to Queen Elizabeth II memorial by 90-year-old architect behind £2bn stadium plans

Lord Norman Foster, who is considered to be “one of the world’s most important living architects”, has been charged with the task of drawing up what an iconic venue in Manchester will look like.

Those plans were revealed to the world in March 2025. Foster’s vision raised a few eyebrows, but his work often does that – with his professional portfolio including the iconic ‘Gherkin’ building in London, the Millennium Bridge and the British Museum’s spectacular Great Court.

Foster, who has also been commissioned to build a memorial to honour Queen Elizabeth II, is proud to have been drafted into ‘s Old Trafford upgrade project – as he grew up in Manchester.

The 90-year-old has, per Sky News said of working with the Red Devils: “The fan base is incredible.”

He added when asked if he is excited to be part of grand plans for the future: “You bet. It’s a galvanising project… and so many things can naturally ride on the back of that sporting, emblematic kind of team.”

Foster went on to say of United’s new home, which will be unlike any other stadium in Britain: “ is different and therefore its stadium’s going to be different… and better, of course.”

United’s stadium venture, which Foster describes as a “project of a lifetime”, will come with a huge price tag and take around five years to complete. Plans for the eye-catching construction include three towering masts that act as an umbrella over Old Trafford – with the site also incorporating commercial and entertainment outlets.