Manchester United will embark on a significant upgrade of their Carrington training headquarters, investing £50 million ($64 million) in a project aimed at transforming the facility into a state-of-the-art complex. This overhaul, beginning next week, will be led by the renowned British architectural firm Foster + Partners.
The decision to revamp Carrington follows a comprehensive review that highlighted the need to elevate the club’s training environment to match those of its competitors. This initiative comes on the heels of the successful launch of a new facility for the women’s team and academy last year.
Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, emphasized the importance of this project for the club’s future success. “We aim to provide a world-class setting for our teams,” Ratcliffe stated. “Our review of Carrington made it clear that our facilities had fallen behind. This project will restore our training ground to top-tier standards.”
The redevelopment will encompass all areas of the Carrington complex, with work expected to continue throughout the 2024/25 season. During this period, temporary arrangements will be made to ensure the continuity of training and operations for players and staff.
Norman Foster, a leading figure in architecture, expressed his excitement about the project, promising a design that embodies the spirit and ambition of both the club and the city of Manchester. Foster’s portfolio includes iconic structures like the HSBC Building in Hong Kong and London’s “Gherkin.”
“As someone who hails from Manchester, I am deeply honored to lead this project,” Foster remarked. “Our design will reflect the resilience and ambition that Manchester United stands for.”
The review of the club’s facilities also identified issues at Old Trafford, notably highlighted by a leaking roof during a recent match against Arsenal. Ratcliffe is currently considering options for either renovating the existing stadium or constructing a new one nearby.
Since acquiring a 27.7 percent stake in Manchester United earlier this year, Ratcliffe has made several changes to the club’s operations. Despite these shifts, manager Erik ten Hag will remain in his role following a performance review. Ten Hag’s second season concluded positively with a surprising 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.