Manchester United remain hopeful their new stadium will open before the 2035 Women’s World Cup despite reports of a setback.
United unveiled plans for a 100,000 venue last year dubbed the ‘Wembley of the North’.
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The renovation of their current Old Trafford stadium would cost £2billion.
Whilst initial plans from INEOS outlined hopes to secure public funding for the project, that has since been ruled out.
Instead, the club confirmed in Match that private funding will be sourced for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s planned stadium.
Stadium development CEO Collette Roche had said it was hope the new stadium would open its doors for the 2032/33 season.
United stadium opening date
City AM reported on Wednesday that the ground could take 10 years to build without any delays.
The report claims to have seen official documentation outlining 2035 as the current opening date of the stadium.
If delayed, it would put United’s hopes of hosting the 2035 Women’s World Cup final in doubt.
However, talkSPORT understands the Red Devils still intend to open the stadium before the event.
The Red Devils have publicly outlined their desire to be chosen ahead of Wembley Stadium for the showpiece clash.
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will co-host the tournament in nine years’ time.
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Old Trafford has been listed as one of 22 proposed venues for the event, provided the new stadium is not delayed.
United stadium latest
It was revealed in June that the club had cleared a major hurdle in the project.
United have now secured the majority of land required to build the new stadium.
Meanwhile, an official site was confirmed the following month.
The new stadium will be located 350 metres north west of the current Old Trafford.
United have played their home matches at the 74,158-capacity ground since it opened in 1910.
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However, Old Trafford has not been renovated since an expansion of 8,000 seats 20 years ago.