Jamie Carragher jokingly demands government investment for ‘northern powerhouses’ Everton and Liverpool after Manchester United appoint taskforce for new stadium plans led by Lord Coe
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Jamie Carragher has jokingly called for government money to help Liverpool and Everton following Sebastian Coe’s involvement in the redevelopment of Old Trafford.
A joint taskforce has been set up to explore the options for regenerating the Old Trafford area of the city with the new stadium at the heart of the project, headed by Lord Coe and including former United defender Gary Neville.
United have backed new minority investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s plans to bulldoze Old Trafford and build a brand-new stadium on the site or adjacent land.
Public funding has not been ruled out although United are keen to stress they are ‘not looking for handouts’.
And Carragher has taken umbrage with Coe’s links to government and the suggestion by Ratcliffe that the club could be given public money to build a new ground as the ‘Wembley of the North’.
Carragher wrote; ‘A task force led by Seb Coe! I wonder why Man Utd chose a man with links to the government.
‘If people want to talk about a northern powerhouse helping football clubs and not just Manchester ones, let’s start with helping Everton finish off their stadium and pay off Liverpool’s new stands!’
The building of Everton’s new home on the dockside of the city has come at a great expense to the club, both on and off the pitch.
A new modern stadium was looked upon as a way of eventually increasing club revenue, but the interest payments on the project have contributed to the Toffees’ profit and sustainability breaches.
It’s those breaches that saw Everton docked 10 points by the Premier League earlier in the season, and while that has since been reduced to six points on appeal, it could increase further with a second charge hanging over their heads.
United’s new plans will likely feature a new, interactive museum and a 5 star hotel and those involved believe a new stadium would set new standards on energy efficiency and environmental protection.
The rejuvenation of the area would improve transport hubs, amenities and mixed income housing and an education institution could also be included.
Ratcliffe had already indicated that building a new stadium from scratch would make more sense than redeveloping the existing ground.
However, United have vowed that the club would not move away from the site of its traditional home but are backing Ratcliffe’s vision following his £1.3billion investment.
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