Man Utd's Old Trafford redevelopment hailed as 'project of a lifetime' in contrast to Queen Elizabeth II memorial by 90-year-old architect behind £2bn stadium plans

Lord Norman Foster, who is considered to be "one of the world’s most important living architects", has been charged with the task of drawing up what an iconic venue in Manchester will look like.

Those plans were revealed to the world in March 2025. Foster’s vision raised a few eyebrows, but his work often does that - with his professional portfolio including the iconic ‘Gherkin’ building in London, the Millennium Bridge and the British Museum’s spectacular Great Court.

Foster, who has also been commissioned to build a national memorial to honour Queen Elizabeth II, is proud to have been drafted into United’s Old Trafford upgrade project - as he grew up in Manchester.

The 90-year-old has, per Sky News, said of working with the Red Devils: "The fan base is incredible."

He added when asked if he is excited to be part of grand plans for the future: "You bet. It's a galvanising project… and so many things can naturally ride on the back of that sporting, emblematic kind of team."

Foster went on to say of United’s new home, which will be unlike any other stadium in Britain: "Manchester United is different and therefore its stadium's going to be different… and better, of course."

United’s stadium venture, which Foster describes as a "project of a lifetime", will come with a huge price tag and take around five years to complete. Plans for the eye-catching construction include three towering masts that act as an umbrella over Old Trafford - with the site also incorporating commercial and entertainment outlets.