The FA and Manchester United today revealed a lucrative £20 million deal has been agreed for the club to play home matches at the new Wembley Stadium from 2006 onwards.
United PLC chief Executive David Gill was at a press conference in London, alongside FA Chief Mark Palios.
Gill announced "Old Trafford is simply not big enough for the club of this size and given the restrictions on expansion, posed by the railway track and housing on the south stand we are forced to look at other options." "The wasted income of each home game was ludicrous, we could sell out 100,000 easily yet only have 67,000 seats."
All thoughts of leaving the historic venue of Old Trafford altogether were quickly dismissed however. "United will still play at Old Trafford from time to time, it is our home and part of our history. It will be mainly games against teams like Leicester, Middlesbrough and the Worthington Cup for which ticket demand is less. But still top flight qualiy football nonetheless."
When asked about Manchester based fans would feel about making the 400 mile round trip, the United chief responded "The diehard fans travel much further to away European clashes".
"Low cost air travel from companies such as Easyjet means the distance is nothing nowadays. London is a hub of transport and communication, the easiest city to reach in the UK. It is not without precedent for we used to play games at Maine Road after the war.
"With Chelsea and Arsenal both making strides forward it would be foolish of us as a company to not take this step forward. It also will allow us to sign foreign stars who prefer the bright lights of the capital."
Questions were posed following the recent rumour that the land on which Old Trafford is built and surrounding car parks had been sold to Irish building contractor "M&M Contruction". Speculation is rife the company has plans to build a massive state of the art racecourse to rival Aintree somewhere in Manchester but Gill replied "There is no evidence of that at all, just pure unfounded media speculation". Another rumour that next season's new Nike kit would feature red shirts with white sleeves was also dismissed as "highly unlikely".
Chief Executive of the FA Mark Palios stated "Wembley is the most famous name in football stadium and together with Manchester United, the world's most famous football team it represents a superb deal for all."
"We always had concerns the 90,000 seater would be a collossal white elephant, sitting empty 90% of the year, so it makes financial sense to utilise United's fantastic support." Palios also added that he was sorry for Rio Ferdinand's 8 month ban and subsequent ruination of Manchester United's season.
Asked if he could see a time when United played in other venues outside of London, United Communications Director, Phil Townsend, sitting beside David Gill admitted "We'd never rule anything out. In the United States they have built many fabulous stadiums such as the one we are playing in Philadelphia on our upcoming US tour. "
"There is also numerous venues across Asia as we saw in the last World Cup that would be ideal for a United game or two."
"Manchester United have always been at the forefront of football innovation, from entering Europe in 1956 to the World Club Tournament in 2000, this represents an opportunity to continue that legacy."
Some United faithful did obviously not agree. There appeared to be an angry disturbance outside the building as Gill summed up the proceedings.
"Given the amount of fans we have down south it will be a fantastic occasion each time we play in the new venue. I can't wait for our first big European night in North West London."
Taken From www.bbc.co.uk
UNITED PLAN TO MAKE NEW WEMBLEY HOME FROM 2006
The FA and Manchester United today revealed a lucrative £20 million deal has been agreed for the club to play home matches at the new Wembley Stadium from 2006 onwards.
United PLC chief Executive David Gill was at a press conference in London, alongside FA Chief Mark Palios.