Ruben Amorim has dubbed Manchester United’s new stadium plans as “exciting” after plans to knock down Old Trafford and build a new ground in its place were revealed. The project is expected to cost at least £2billion, with an initial time scale of five years having been mooted.

United plan to continue playing at Old Trafford while their new stadium – which doesn’t have an official name yet – is under construction, before their existing ground is eventually demolished as part of the wider regeneration of the local area. When asked about the plans ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad, Amorim replied: “It is exciting, but is in five years. My focus is on now.”

The Portuguese boss also confirmed he’s in constant communication with Sir Jim Ratcliffe – the head honcho behind United’s football department. It comes after the INEOS chief slated five United players, claiming they weren’t good enough and had been “overpaid”, during an interview earlier this week.

On his dealings with Ratcliffe, Amorim added: “It is really good since day one. We are blunt and honest with each other. I feel the support from the board, especially from Sir Jim [Ratcliffe]. We have honest conversations. I already knew that. I had had all of these conversations with them. They came to me in the dressing room. But to say it publicly is really good for the coach. Since day one, I have felt the support from everyone here.”

A statement released by the Premier League club on Tuesday read: “Manchester United has thrown its support behind the Government’s growth agenda by announcing its intention to pursue a new 100,000-seater stadium as the centrepiece of the regeneration of the Old Trafford area.

“The stadium, and wider regeneration project, have the potential to deliver an additional £7.3bn per year to the UK economy which brings large-scale social and economic benefits to the community and wider region, including the possible creation of 92,000 new jobs, more than 17,000 new homes as well as driving an additional 1.8 million visitors annually.

“Conceptual images and scaled models of what the new stadium and surrounding area could look like were unveiled on Tuesday by Foster + Partners, the architecture group appointed to design the stadium district. These will provide a masterplan for more detailed feasibility, consultation, design and planning work as the project enters a new phase.”

Ratcliffe added: “Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford.

“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience, only footsteps from our historic home.

“Just as important is the opportunity for a new stadium to be the catalyst for social and economic renewal of the Old Trafford area, creating jobs and investment, not just during the construction phase, but on a lasting basis when the stadium district is complete. The Government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priority, particularly in the north of England, and we are proud to be supporting that mission with this project of national, as well as local, significance.”

United return to action on Thursday night when they welcome Real Sociedad for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.