Report: Man Utd unveil £50m Carrington facelift to modernise outdated facilities

Man Utd’s £50m Carrington Revamp Signals New Era Under Ineos

Manchester United are set to unveil a completely revamped first-team training facility at Carrington next month, following a £50 million overhaul designed to drag the club into the modern elite. As reported in The Times, this state-of-the-art renovation includes a barbershop, cryotherapy chambers, and a player-focused layout—all part of Ineos’s wider infrastructure strategy to restore Manchester United’s standing.

Closing the Gap on Rivals

After years of playing catch-up with Manchester City, Liverpool and even Leicester City in terms of infrastructure, United’s hierarchy finally acknowledged their shortcomings. Those behind the Carrington upgrade “acknowledged that United had fallen behind some of their rivals”, and this project, designed by Foster + Partners, marks a determined shift in priorities.

The building now features “state-of-the-art equipment designed to help performance” and a player-only ground floor that flows from gym to treatment room and out to the training pitch—mirroring the logic used in Liverpool’s Kirkby set-up. It’s a far cry from the “hospital-like corridors” and outdated swimming pool that Cristiano Ronaldo had criticised after his 2021 return.

Player Experience at the Core

Perhaps most notably, the new Carrington will house a purpose-built barbershop—a Premier League first. With “a number of seats and hair-cutting equipment”, the room reflects a growing awareness that elite player welfare extends beyond physical preparation. The goal, reportedly, is to make players “stay at the facility for longer, and not dash off home as soon as training is over.”

Complemented by a new canteen, cryogenic recovery zones, and recreational areas, United’s modernised base aims to create a culture of cohesion and professionalism. It’s part of Ineos’s long-term plan to foster a high-performance environment, especially after a dismal 15th-place league finish last season.

Ineos Footprint Growing at Carrington

The influence of Ineos is unmistakable. Sir Dave Brailsford, who has brought his “marginal gains” philosophy from cycling, has had “significant involvement in the project”. He drew inspiration from top-tier NFL franchises, reinforcing Ineos’s commitment to global best practices.

Photo IMAGO

Collette Roche, United’s Chief Operating Officer, managed the project’s execution, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vow to invest £237 million in infrastructure appears to be well underway. Office space has been consolidated to create an open-plan layout, and commercial staff will now be relocated to Carrington, establishing it as the club’s operational hub.

A Symbolic Shift After Years of Stagnation

While Carrington was considered elite when it opened in 2000, it had aged poorly. Ronaldo’s stinging critique that it had “stopped in time” now appears prophetic. The remodelled environment, including “windows installed in the corridor on the bottom floor because staff complained the areas were dark and dingy”, underlines how badly the facility needed rejuvenation.

The new training ground will open its doors when Ruben Amorim’s squad return from their U.S. tour on August 4. Five days later, they face Fiorentina at Old Trafford in their final pre-season game. It’s a fresh start in more ways than one.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United fan’s perspective, this long-awaited overhaul of Carrington is both a relief and a statement of intent. For far too long, United’s infrastructure has been symbolic of the club’s stagnation—once elite, now outdated. Ronaldo’s infamous comments about the unchanged swimming pool weren’t just about tiles and chlorine—they were a metaphor for the club’s failure to evolve.

Seeing Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos invest in the backbone of United—its facilities—feels like the first tangible step toward serious reform. The inclusion of a barbershop might raise eyebrows, but it’s emblematic of a modern football culture that values player comfort and routine. If players are more relaxed and spend longer at the training ground, the team atmosphere can only benefit.

The reported influence of Brailsford and Roche also hints at something fans have been craving: a coherent strategy. It’s not about flashy features—it’s about embedding professionalism into the daily routines of the squad. After last season’s catastrophic league finish, this revamp could be the foundation for a culture reset under Amorim.