The Sunday Mirror says United were approached about the possibility of returning to their roots in the east of the city when Manchester was awarded the 2002 Commonwealth Games, according to a new book. It was only the intervention of Sir Alex Ferguson that halted the plan – even though Manchester city council were prepared to build an 80,000-capacity stadium to bring the club back to the city of their birth.
Labour MP Graham Stringer, who was leader of Manchester City Council at the time, is quoted as saying: “Discussions with United were serious and went to a high level – the highest level.
“The view was that if United could move to the stadium then the capacity could be around 80,000. “It seemed perfectly logical in the 90s that United should consider the move. Of course, there were some significant issues to overcome.
“The biggest was undoubtedly the significance of Old Trafford to supporters. “I fully understand why United decided not to make a permanent move, but Old Trafford’s capacity was too small. The idea developed that perhaps European games could be played at the new stadium.
“United would play at Old Trafford for domestic fixtures and move to the new stadium for European games.”
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