- New facility built with help of Ratcliffe’s investment
- Biggest renovation at training ground since 2000 opening
- Ronaldo previously said facilities ‘stopped in time’
United have completed work of the £50 million ($67m) redevelopment of the men’s first team building at their training ground at Carrington, which they believe will offer ‘world-class facilities’ to players and staff. The project, which was directed by award-winning architect Sir Norman Foster – who is also leading the design of the club’s proposed £2 billion ($2.7bn), 100,000 seater stadium, took one year to complete and was finished on time and on budget, opening more than a week before the Premier League season starts.
The work was funded with help from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s injection of $300m of capital into the club upon purchasing his 27.7% stake in February 2024. It is the first major upgrade to the men’s facilities since the training ground opened in 2000 and Ronaldo described the facilities as out-of-date in his infamous interview with Piers Morgan in 2022, which led to him leaving the club by mutual consent and moving to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo said at the time: “Nothing changed, surprisingly. Not only the pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym. Even the kitchen, the chefs, whom I appreciate, lovely people. They stopped in time. It surprised me a lot. I thought I would see other things, technologies and infrastructure. Unfortunately, we see a lot of what I used to see at 21, 22 and 23 years old. It really surprised me. Since Ferguson left, I haven’t seen an evolution at the club. Progress is zero. You have to tear it down and rebuild it.”
Ratcliffe said: “Following a review of the facility last year, we made a quick decision to invest significantly in the creation of a world-class performance environment for staff and players to reflect our ambition and vision for Manchester United. We are delighted with the outcome and are confident the new facility will play an important role in building a winning culture at the club.”
United’s chief executive Omar Berrada said: “This project represents a clear step towards unifying every part of the club around a shared footballing vision. By bringing our staff and players closer together in one integrated environment, we are creating a culture of collaboration and high-performance.”
Many of United’s executive team will now work in the new building after being previously stationed at Old Trafford. The building was designed with input from players and staff, with priority being placed on functionality, openness, and connectivity, with increased natural light and open workspaces. Equipment and technology have been upgraded throughout the new facility, with a focus on fitness, nutrition, recovery and team unity.
United have spent more than £60m upgrading Carrington in the past three years, constructing a new £10m building for the women’s first team and men’s academy in 2024. Ruben Amorim and his players now have no excuse for not making a strong start to the season after a successful tour of the United States in which they won the Premier League’s Summer Series and spending £205m on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and imminent new signing Benjamin Sesko.
