Eric Cantona Reacts To Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Plans To Sell Old Trafford Naming Rights
Manchester United are considering selling the naming rights to a refurbished Old Trafford or a newly-built stadium as part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe seeks to drive up revenues to fund the project, while the club is also deliberating over substantial ticket price rises.
Manchester United shirt sponsor Snapdragon is also interested in naming Old Trafford or a new stadium if the club decides to sell the rights in the future.
United have also held exploratory talks with major financial institutions, including Bank of America, as they explore a series of funding options to raise the capital required to cover a potentially multi-billion pound project.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has laid out plans to build a “state of the art” stadium for Manchester United with a capacity as high as 100,000.
Ratcliffe completed a deal for a stake in the club last month and has taken control of football affairs at Old Trafford.
The Ineos chairman has been open in his desire to renovate or rebuild the club’s long-time home, which has been in need of modernisation for some time.
Eric Cantona have since reacted to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plan on a new Trafford.
Speaking to reporters, Manchester United legend Eric Cantona insists he’ll stop supporting the Red Devils if they rename Old Trafford with a sponsor, like Arsenal have done.
The Gunners left their old ground Highbury in 2006 and moved to a new location nearby, with their new home immediately named the Emirates Stadium, with the airline also becoming the north London giants’ shirt sponsor.
Arsenal are far from the only team to do this, but Cantona believes they’ve sold their soul, and hopes Man Utd never do the same or he’ll stop being a fan.
The outspoken Frenchman is always fascinating to listen to, and it seems he has some very strong convictions on these matters, saying that he hopes Old Trafford remains Old Trafford.
“These stadiums lost the soul and history of the club, like Arsenal and West Ham. I played at those old stadiums, like Highbury and Upton Park.
“I spoke with some Arsenal fans and they hate these (new) stadiums. These fans lost the soul of their clubs
“Fortunately, Old Trafford is still Old Trafford. Anfield is still Anfield.
“But can you imagine Old Trafford becomes a new stadium called by a brand? If one day they do that, I am sorry but I am not a fan of United anymore. And I quit football forever!
“But please, don’t call this stadium Nestle, or Amazon, please. Old Trafford is Old Trafford.”
Indeed, the 71-year-old believes Manchester United deserve a stadium that reflects their place as one of the world’s biggest sporting entities.
Well done Eric, thank you so much for explaining why our Old Trafford is OUR Old Trafford and not just anyone who comes along with a lot of money, thinking that they can make more money.
New stadiums like those where Spurs and Arsenal now play, may look pretty but underneath they are still just concrete and plastic with fancy lights. Our Old Trafford may have a leaking roof , but it is always full of true fans, not just tourists. Yes it has a REAL beating heart and no thank you we do not need a transplant.