Man Utd to begin £50m development of Carrington Training Complex

Manchester United are to embark on a £50m refurbishment of their Carrington Training Complex that will create a “world-class football facility with a positive culture to support future success.”

Modernisation of the men’s first-team building at Carrington will begin on Monday and is expected to last for the duration of the 2024/25 season. Architectural practice Foster + Partners, led by Manchester-born Lord Norman Foster, has been appointed to lead the project.

The practice was responsible for the reshaping of Wembley Stadium and the design of the Lusail Stadium in Qatar – the centrepiece of the 2022 World Cup.

The initial focus will be on the gym, medical, nutrition, and recovery areas, with a design emphasis on creating “more space for collaboration and innovation” among players and staff.

Temporary adaptations will be made to the rest of the Carrington site to ensure players and staff from all teams can continue to use the facility.

The latest phase of development at Carrington follows the opening of the £10m Women’s and Academy building last summer, meaning more than £60m will have been invested in the facility over the last two years.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, said: “We want to create a world class environment for our teams to win. When we conducted a thorough review of the Carrington training facilities and met with our men’s first team players, it was clear the standards had fallen below some of our peers.

"This project will ensure Manchester United’s training ground is once more renovated to the highest standards. Lord Foster, a fellow Mancunian, has brought some great inspiration to the design, in conjunction with the Manchester United team and we look forward to seeing the improvement to the facilities but most importantly on the pitch.”

Lord Foster added: “We are delighted to lead the renewal of Manchester United’s training facility in Carrington. Our aim is to modernise and revitalise the building as a catalyst for future footballing success, creating spaces that inspire a culture of collaboration, unity and belonging.

“As a proud Mancunian, it is a particular honour for me to see Foster + Partners given this responsibility and we will ensure that our design captures the spirit of industry, grit and ambition that exemplifies both Manchester and Manchester United.”

United announced a series of planned improvements to the facility in September 2021, but with the exception of the installation of new LED floodlights, these never ended up taking place.