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Manchester United's plans for their new stadium are back under the spotlight amid fresh claims that an impressive new roof which would likely cost around £200million could be ditched.

The Red Devils unveiled plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium last year after deciding to press ahead with plans to leave Old Trafford rather than renovate their current home. It's estimated the entire project would cost around £2bn, though, and updates have been thin on the ground.

A tent-like roof was the most eye-catching aspect of the new design, which was unveiled by Foster + Partners. But The Sun are reporting that the roof Sir Jim Ratcliffe likened to the Eiffel Tower 'may never come to pass'.

It's also noted that specific feature is estimated to cost around £200m alone, highlighting the huge cost of the project. Industry sources also told the publication that Foster + Partners are 'renowned for their expensiveness'.

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Behind the scenes, United are understood to still be working on funding for the ambitious project. It's said that there are 'differences' between what is public and what is private in regards to the club's search for backing.

It was claimed back in November that the prospective 'New Trafford' would not receive government funding, with The i Paper saying that the Treasury would not allocate any funding for the stadium.

Ratcliffe previously outlined that any move to a world-class new stadium would not be before 2030, with the hope that work may start by the end of 2025.

The Ineos chief has made no secret of his desire to see a 'Wembley of the north' built and stressed that any new stadium would have to be one befitting of Manchester United's stature when the plans were unveiled last March.

"The north of England has won 10 Champions League medals, London has two. But London has Wembley, Twickenham, Wimbledon and the Olympic Village," Ratcliffe said.

"The north of England deserves a stadium where England can play football, where we can hold the Champions League final, and one befitting of Manchester United's stature.

"Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport."

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