November 28, 2024
Manchester United has sparked outrage among its fans by announcing a mid-season ticket price hike. The club has eliminated concessions for children and over-65s, with all remaining tickets for home games this season now priced at £66 each. The move has been branded “offensive” by the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), who criticised the club for failing to consult fans on the change.
The club’s decision was announced in an email to members of the Fans Forum on Tuesday night. United claimed that the change was necessary to improve “operational efficiencies” and “stabilize revenues.” However, MUST argued that the move was a result of the club’s cost-cutting regime, led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which has seen 250 staff made redundant and a tightening of spending.
The price hike has infuriated supporters, who feel that they are being forced to pay for the club’s excesses and mismanagement. MUST reacted by issuing a statement condemning the move, which read: “This means that for an adult member to take their kid to a game in the remainder of this season will cost £132. Well over double the minimum price they could pay to do it today.”
MUST also criticized the club for its lack of consultation with fans, which they see as a step backward. The group argued that the club should have issued new shares to raise capital rather than passing the cost on to fans. MUST vowed to resist any attempts to further increase ticket prices and announced that they would be seeking urgent discussions with the club to express their concerns.
The 1958, a pressure group, also announced a peaceful protest in response to the ticket increases. A gathering will be held at the Trinity Statue outside Old Trafford before the Everton game on Sunday. The group is urging fans to make their voices heard and to resist the club’s attempts to price them out of attending matches.
The mail from Man United acknowledged that the club usually tries to provide more notice and consult with fans before making changes. However, they claimed that this was a decision that had to be made quickly. The club argued that the increased revenue would support investment in the team and contribute to football success.
The controversy surrounding the ticket price hike has highlighted the growing tensions between Manchester United and its fans. As the club continues to navigate its cost-cutting regime, it remains to be seen how fans will respond to the changes. One thing is certain, however: the relationship between Manchester United and its fans has never been more strained.
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