Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire co-owner of the soccer club, framed plans for the 100,000-seat venue as crucial to the British government’s plan to revive the northern English city.

Foster and Partners have big plans for Manchester United’s historic Old Trafford Stadium. In recently released images, the British-based design firm proposes transforming the stadium into a global cultural hub.

Manchester United Plc’s surprise announcement this week of plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium was the easy bit. Now it needs to find the money.