Manchester United have officially opened their new £50 million first-team training building at the Carrington complex ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The facility, designed by Foster + Partners under the direction of architect Lord Norman Foster, has been billed as “a leading-edge, high-performance training environment designed to inspire collaboration, innovation and excellence.”
From Planning to Opening
Construction began following a review of the club’s facilities in 2023. The project was completed on time and within budget, with an opening targeted for the start of pre-season.
For over a year, United’s first-team players operated from the £10m women’s and academy building, which opened in 2024, while their new headquarters were under development.
Features and Design
The new hub incorporates updated fitness, nutrition, recovery technology and prioritises open, collaborative spaces with increased exposure to natural light. Players and staff were consulted during the design phase to ensure the building meets performance and comfort needs.
The new first tream dressing room at Carrington
The new first tream dressing room at Carrington
United’s first-team squad and much of the club’s executive leadership team have now moved into the building, with some staff relocating from Old Trafford.
Official Opening Ceremony
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Carrington on Friday was attended by Sir Alex Ferguson and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. United first moved to Carrington in 2000, midway through Ferguson’s 26-and-a-half-year reign.
Ferguson has previously expressed regrets about elements of Carrington’s original design—most notably, that the gymnasium lacked views of the pitch. Criticism of the facilities resurfaced in 2021 when Cristiano Ronaldo complained about outdated amenities upon his return to the club.
Revamp Under Ratcliffe
After investing in United in December 2023, Ratcliffe quickly approved the Carrington redevelopment as one of his first major projects.
Ratcliffe said:
“Following a review of the facility last year, we made a quick decision to invest significantly in the creation of a world-class performance environment for staff and players to reflect our ambition and vision for Manchester United.
We are delighted with the outcome and are confident the new facility will play an important role in building a winning culture at the club.”
Chief executive Omar Berrada added:
“This project represents a clear step towards unifying every part of the club around a shared footballing vision. By bringing our staff and players closer together in one integrated environment, we are creating a culture of collaboration and high performance.”