Man Utd pressing ahead with 100,000 new stadium dream

Manchester United's chief operating officer Collette Roche has used the launch of the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation at the Imperial War Museum in Salford Quays to restate the club's desire to build the best stadium in the world.

Roche was at the event along with OTR MDC chair Lord Coe and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

A new 100,000-capacity stadium is earmarked as the centre piece of a 370-acre regeneration project officials believe will eventually see 15,000 new homes built and 48,000 new jobs created locally. It is estimated the developments will add over £7bn per year to the UK economy.

"Our ambition is to build the world's best football stadium – one worthy of our supporters, our history and our future," said Roche.

"We want to create the best matchday atmosphere and experience anywhere in world football, while ensuring the stadium acts as a catalyst for a vibrant new district for fans, residents and visitors."

It is over 10 months since United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe unveiled grand plans for a new Old Trafford.

At the time, he suggested work would be under way before the end of the year.

That deadline has passed and multiple sources have cast doubt on whether there has been any progress on the plans.

However, speaking to BBC Sport in December, Roche said a lot was happening behind the scenes.

"Where we are going to put the stadium is a really big decision," she said.

"Hopefully, the stadium will be here for more than 100 years so apologies if it's taking a bit of time, but we want to get that decision right.

"We are really ambitious and want it to happen. It's going to take a lot more than just me being confident but based on the recent conversations we've had, the support we're getting from the local authority and also from our board, there's a real desire for this project to get off the ground."