Liverpool and Everton’s ‘Siamese-style’ ground, Chelsea’s bid to reignite Battersea and Barca’s Mediterranean marvel: Crazy stadiums that were NEVER built, as Man United unveil new £2bn ‘umbrella’ plans

The world’s eyes have been drawn to Manchester United’s new £2billion stadium plan since the club’s announcement this week.

The Red Devils’ proposed 100,000-seater arena will become the biggest football stadium in the UK, surpassing Wembley’s 90,000 capacity.

Old Trafford has hosted a remarkable 115 years of football, but it is time to move on to a new home, particularly as the stadium has been slowly falling apart.

Yet, the futuristic design has attracted attention for its unique and bizarre look, including three masts described as ‘the trident’ and a huge ‘umbrella’ covering.

Some fans commented on the undeniable resemblance to a circus, rather fitting for a side that languishes in 14th in the league.

Although United’s modern stadium project is looking to be completed in five years’ time, there have been many ridiculous stadiums that never came to fruition.

In light of that, Mail Sport takes a look at the plans that were never fulfilled. 

The project has been spearheaded by United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos

The project would see Old Trafford, home to the Red Devils for the past 115 years, demolished 

1. Liverpool and Everton’s Siamese merger 

Back in 2010, a Merseyside consortium proposed the idea of a strange ‘Siamese stadium’ to unite the location of the two fierce rivals.

The proposal would maintain two separate stadiums but would join the two buildings via a ‘central spine’.

The Scouse union was suggested as a way to save money on construction in a bid to persuade the parties involved.

Bearing in mind the Toffees and the Reds rivalry is the longest-running derby in the English top-flight, starting in 1888, the plan was short lived.

It would be unimaginable for Liverpool and Everton fans alike to share a location, hence damming this project before it had even begun.

The proposal would have seen two separate stadiums joined together via a ‘central spine’

2. Chelsea’s bid to reignite Battersea Power Station

In 2012, Chelsea submitted an audacious bid to buy Battersea Power Station, seeking to turn it into a 60,000-seater stadium.

Having played at Stamford Bridge since 1905, the Roman Abramovich era wanted to leave a mark off the pitch as well as on it.

The build was estimated to be over £1bn and would have also led to the installation of a new tube station for the stadium.

Yet, the restoration costs of the power station and planning permission for Chelsea’s new home ground proved too tricky as the Blues opted to remain at the Bridge.

Chelsea wanted to buy Battersea Power Station and turn it into a 60,000-seater stadium

The build was estimated to be over £1bn and would have led to the installation of a new station

3. Portsmouth’s Fratton Park relocation

The iconic Fratton Park was nearly replaced by an ambitious plan to relocate the stadium on the south coast.

The stadium design, produced by Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, looked to channel their previous successes of the Allianz Arena and the Beijing National Stadium.

Seating capacity would have nearly doubled in the attempt to construct the striking stadium near to Gunwharf Quays and the renowned Spinnaker Tower.

However, with costs rising to £600million and concerns from local government, the stadium seemed unlikely to go ahead.

Later in 2008, the financial crisis destroyed any last hopes for the plan, prompting Portsmouth to focus on further developing Fratton Park.

The ambitious plan for Portsmouth was compiled by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron

Seating capacity would have nearly doubled at the striking stadium near to Gunwharf Quays

4. Barcelona’s Mediterranean marvel

Whilst Barcelona continue their redevelopment of Nou Camp, aiming to be the biggest stadium in Europe, they contemplated an elaborate idea off the coast of the city.

The Catalan giants explored options for their stadium development which included a 150,000-seater stadium.

Although the prospect was sensational, logistically the ground would have been extremely difficult to complete.

It required a bridge and a meticulous support structure in the sea for the building itself, so it was no surprise that the far-fetched proposal was dismissed.

The outlandish design for a potential new Barcelona stadium off coast was never fulfilled

5. Dinamo Zagreb’s ‘blue volcano’

The Croatian side launched a design competition for their prospective new stadium back in the 2000s.

The winning design was nicknamed the ‘Blue Volcano’ due to its bizarre, blue-coloured dome exterior.

A referendum on the proposal was postponed several times and never came to fruition despite the intriguing conceptual design.

Since 2008, Dinamo Zagreb have continued to endeavour to build a new stadium but have failed to do so, burying the eccentric blue volcano.

Dinamo Zagreb launched a design competition for their prospective new stadium in the 2000s

The Stadio delle Aquile strived for a stadium capacity of 40,000 fans, including a transparent glass roof with solar panels

6. Lazio’s split from Roma

Stadium sharing is the norm in Italy as Italian giants AC Milan and Inter Milan share the San Siro while Roma and Lazio co-habit in the Stadio Olimpico.

But the latter sought to break with tradition in the 2000s, seeking to erect their own footballing base.

The Stadio delle Aquile strived for a stadium capacity of 40,000 fans, including a transparent glass roof with solar panels.

Yet, a dominant issue in the 2000s –  the financial crisis of 2008 – cut short the prospect of Lazio’s own stadium, sending the Biancocelesti back to the Stadio Olimpico with their tail between their legs.