Manchester United dig up Old Trafford pitch for first time in 14 years ahead of new stadium

Manchester United have torn up the Old Trafford pitch to its foundations for the first time in 14 years, releasing behind-the-scenes footage of a renovation project that goes well beyond the club’s routine summer resurfacing. The overhaul, carried out by specialist contractors Fineturf, is designed to improve player welfare and water drainage ahead of the 2026/27 season.

While United relay the pitch every summer, this is the first time the full turf has been excavated since 2011. A fleet of heavy-duty vehicles has entered the ground to dig out the existing surface, with the waste material set to be recycled and reused within the trade. The replacement will be a hybrid surface — 96 per cent natural grass reinforced by 4 per cent artificial fibres stitched deep into the soil — a setup used by leading clubs around the world to produce a durable, even and well-draining playing field.

The slope around the perimeter of the pitch has long been a source of concern. Ángel Di María was slammed into the brickwork by Ashley Young during a Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, and the drop-off was cited as a contributing factor in Benjamin Sesko’s injury against Liverpool last season. “Ben got a bang on his shin when he fell down the side of the pitch,” manager Michael Carrick told MUTV. “It’s something that he’s been carrying for a little bit as well, so we’ve had to manage him a bit, but he’s certainly had a bang right on the same spot.” The grass will be slightly extended and protective edging added around the drop-off, though the pitch level itself will not be lowered.

The renovation carries additional significance beyond the immediate season. United have confirmed this will be the final time the Old Trafford pitch is regrown from scratch at the current ground, with the club progressing plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium on land it now owns around the site. Architecture firm Foster + Partners is set to resume detailed design work after sharing initial concepts last year, and the club has earmarked 9 July to announce further details of the stadium project, including the formal public consultation period.