'Institutionally racist' - Sir Jim Ratcliffe warned Man Utd stadium task force not fit for purpose by anti-discrimination charity

The club recently announced the establishment of a task force following Ratcliffe's proposal to build a new stadium. The move signals a significant development in the club's infrastructure plans, either to construct a new ground or develop Old Trafford on its current site. That task force includes prominent figures such as Lord Coe, Andy Burnham and Gary Neville, among others, reflecting a mix of expertise and professional backgrounds.

United has emphasised its commitment to diversity by stating that additional appointments to the task force will be made to ensure a broad range of experiences and perspectives. However, criticism has arisen after it became apparent that the initial composition of the team lacked representation from non-white communities.

The Anthony Walker Foundation's chief executive, Kaushik Mistry, wrote on X that they were "Disappointed but ultimately not surprised" that the task force "has only white people appointed to it", adding that it meant it was "structurally and institutionally racist from its implementation".

He added: "Our diverse communities are filled with great talent, leaders and experts whose lived experiences vastly differ from those appointed to the board. We deserve to be at the head table."

Mistry told the BBCthat he is eager to "raise this issue" as he believes that the composition of the task force "needs to look different" as Manchester is a "massively diverse" city. He added that it "made no sense" to omit coloured representation from the task force.

The stagnant condition of Old Trafford, which has not seen significant upgrades since 2006, highlights the urgency for rejuvenation under Ratcliffe's ownership. His vision to align Manchester United's facilities with top clubs across Europe demonstrates an ambitious and necessary step for the club's future success. However, the potential relocation during construction, as seen with Tottenham Hotspur's move to Wembley, poses logistical challenges and considerations for the club.