• Billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has suggested the UK government might want to help fund his plans to redevelop Old Trafford and the surrounding area.
• However, it is unlikely that the government will allocate public money for a new stadium.
• "It's just not something we'd entertain. The government doesn't tend to fund football stadiums," said a government source.

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has little chance of using taxpayers' money to redevelop Old Trafford. After completing his takeover of the club earlier this week, he expressed interest in revitalizing both on and offpitch aspects of Manchester United.

Ratcliffe promised $300 million (PS237m) towards improving Old Trafford but now faces deciding between either undertaking a PS1 billion redevelopment or building a brandnew stadium costing around PS2 billion.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe hoped that the UK government would contribute funds as part of a regeneration project. However, officials have dismissed this idea, stating that while they may consider funding for regenerating areas around Old Trafford, providing financial support for constructing a new stadium is highly unlikely.