Manchester United fans protest
Manchester United fans fear further price hikes
Manchester United face a backlash from supporter groups after increasing the price of member tickets to £66 and removing concessions for children and pensioners.
Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), which has more than 200,000 fan members, immediately expressed fears of further price hikes as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s efforts to make United more financially sustainable.
Another group, The 1958, announced plans to protest “alongside” Everton counterparts over ticket price rises for 19 of the 20 Premier League clubs.
The ticket price rise comes after United reported a net loss of £113.2 million in the year to June 30. That follows losses of £28.7 million in 2022-23 and £115.5 million in 2021-22, and their latest figures take total losses over the past five years to more than £370 million.
In July, it was announced that United would cut 250 jobs as part of a determination to slash costs. The club say they expect to save between £30 million and £35 million over two years from 2025 amid the “club-wide cost review”.
Member tickets at Old Trafford previously started at £40 for adults, and £25 for children – money raised by the increase is reportedly expected to be in the low millions of pounds.
United insist moving all member tickets to £66 will not impact many fans, saying “97 per cent of tickets have already been sold with five age-related discounts”.
MUST, however, called that figure “misleading” as it accused the club of not consulting the Fans Forum or Fan Advisory Board.
“The club has provided zero consultation on the matter, neither with the Forum nor the Fan Advisory Board nor MUST,” a statement said.
“We were simply informed of the decision that there will be price rises affecting certain fans that are ‘urgently needed’ to address profitability and sustainability concerns.
“Suffice it to say, that the idea that the fans must pay their “fair share” for the club’s excesses and/or mismanagement — and above all, the Glazers lack of investment over two decades — is offensive. We fans have done everything we have been asked. We have cheered the players on even in the face of substandard performance.
“We have gone to matches and abided by the new usage rules for tickets. We have taken on a price increase this year. This is in addition to the hundreds, even thousands loyal fans pay to follow United home and away. There is a risk that this is only the opening salvo of what will surely be massive pressure to implement a significant price rise for next season.”
The 1958 added: “As a member of the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), The 1958 will stand side-by-side with Everton supporters to protest against the decision that saw 19 of the 20 Premier League clubs increase their season ticket prices for this campaign.”