Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has hit out at Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the funding for the proposed new 100,000-seater stadium, accusing the billionaire of begging
Paul Scholes has accused billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe of getting his begging bowl out in a bid to build a new stadium for Manchester United.
United bosses have unveiled lavish plans to demolish Old Trafford and replace it with a state-of-the-art stadium costing up to £2billion. Co-owner Ratcliffe claims the new ground will be one of the best in the world.
But Ratcliffe has refused to reveal where the funding will come from, and is believed to be banking on help from private investors and the Government. United legend Scholes admits he doesn’t know whether to believe in Ratcliffe or not – and that actions are more important than words.
Speaking on Sky Bet’s ‘ The Overlap Fan Debate ‘, Scholes said: “You can be gullible at times, and believe what he (Ratcliffe) says, just because you’ve never heard anyone say anything before.
“You don’t know how realistic it is, it’s all up in the air. Words are cheap, and we could say anything about anyone, you can say in 10 years we’ll have the biggest and best stadium.
“For a long time, we’ve been called the richest club in the world, but I feel like we’re begging a little, asking for the stadium and that we need £2 billion, and selling players to buy players.”
Speaking on the announcement of United’s proposed 100,000 new home, Ratcliffe said: “Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport.
“By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home.
“Just as important is the opportunity for a new stadium to be the catalyst for social and economic renewal of the Old Trafford area, creating jobs and investment not just during the construction phase but on a lasting basis when the stadium district is complete.
“The Government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priority, particularly in the north of England, and we are proud to be supporting that mission with this project of national, as well as local, significance.”