Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has voiced strong criticism of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent announcement to construct a new 100,000-seater stadium, estimated at £2 billion, to replace Old Trafford.

Scholes expressed concerns that the club appears to be “begging” for funds under Ratcliffe’s leadership, casting doubt on the feasibility of such an ambitious project.

Scholes remarked, “For a long time, we’ve been called the richest club in the world, but I feel like we’re begging a little bit, coming out and asking for the stadium and that we need £2 billion, and selling players to buy players.”

He cautioned fans against being overly trusting of Ratcliffe’s promises, stating, “Words are cheap, and we could say anything about anyone, you can say in 10 years we’ll have the biggest and best stadium in the world, you can say anything!”

The proposed stadium, backed by government support, aims to enhance the fan experience while preserving the essence of Old Trafford. Ratcliffe emphasized the necessity of such investments to prevent financial shortfalls by the end of 2025 and stressed prioritizing spending on the squad to secure trophies.

However, the club’s financial strategies have come under scrutiny. Manchester United recently announced a 5% increase in season ticket prices for adult holders, a move that has been met with fan dissatisfaction, especially given the team’s current 13th-place standing in the Premier League. Additionally, the club plans to cut up to 200 more staff as part of ongoing cost-cutting measures.