Man United 'will DELAY their decision whether to demolish Old Trafford and build a new £2bn stadium' - with Red Devils chiefs set to 'explore' options

Manchester United will delay any decision over their stadium development until next summer, according to reports.

It was reported in August that the Red Devils wanted to press forward with building a new ground in the same area as Old Trafford, rather than redeveloping the current 74,000-seater stadium.

However, even after new images were released of United 's proposed 100,000 stadium regeneration in September, reports now claim a decision could be put on hold.

According to The Telegraph , United want to explore how they can maximise the area available to the club and are not expected to understand that fully until next spring.

The outlet claim that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team are being urged to be as 'bold and brave as possible' by maximising the potential impact of any stadium development.

Mail Sport understands that United have not and will not ask for public funding for the stadium but want a public private partnership to focus on infrastructure and wider regeneration, with an immediate emphasis on transport.

Recently, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and fellow regeneration task force member Gary Neville presented to onlookers in front of a model and exhibition of what the project aims to achieve and how it may look. A video, obtained by Mail Sport, was also shown.

The message to delegates was that the scheme will provide a staggering boost to an area which stretches from United's home down to BBC base MediaCity, across the water.

Burnham focused on the benefits that would be unlocked via shifting the freight terminal currently behind the Stretford End.

'What you have here is huge potential to fix the rail system of the north-west of England,' he said. 'It's an incredible opportunity right in front of us and Manchester United have created the catalyst to try and realise all these benefits.' Should the terminal be shifted, a significant transport hub for the area could arrive in its place.

In September, United released an economic report into the potential impact of regenerating Trafford Park, with their new stadium at the centre of the plans.

Images have been produced of how the potential £2billion stadium could look, with Man United vowing to deliver a world class venue.

Computer generated images have shown a potentially circular shaped venue, with the Manchester United club badge emblazoned on the outside.

Fans are depicted in the image of filling a vast walkway towards the stadium, perhaps mirroring Wembley Way to fulfill minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe 's plans to deliver a 'Wembley of the North'.

Old Trafford, meanwhile, holds huge sentimental value for United fans around the world with its Munich clock and tunnel commemorating the 1958 air disaster, as well as the statues of Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jimmy Murphy and the United Trinity.

The project, it is claimed, could be worth £7.3billion per year to the UK economy, according to a study conducted by Oxford Economics.

The global advisory firm found that - should they come to fruition - the plans would deliver huge growth, including 92,000 new jobs, 17,000 new homes and 1.8million visitors to the area per year.

Mail Sport revealed that the club have appointed famous British architect Sir Norman Foster to create the blueprint to revamp the area owned by the club.

The 89-year-old's company, Foster and Partners, began working on initial proposals on the transformative project which would see a £2billion 100,000 capacity 'Wembley of the North' at the centre of it.

The Glazer family had previously appointed Populous in 2022 to oversee a redevelopment of the 'Theatre of Dreams' and the surrounding area, and they drew up blueprints for their vision.