Manchester United have sparked controversy by putting tickets for their upcoming match against Nottingham Forest on general sale, highlighting the recent hike in ticket prices that has left fans seething.
The club's decision to eliminate concessions for children and pensioners, setting a flat rate of £66 for all tickets, has triggered protests from a disgruntled fanbase.
Despite claims from United that the game was sold out as of Wednesday, the availability of tickets to the public across all four stands of Old Trafford is seen as a telling sign.
A Manchester United Supporters' Trust spokesman expressed to the Daily Mail: "Tickets for league home games have been gold dust for decades."
"But fans have a limit and the fact Forest tickets are on open sale should make the club see that £66 tickets are a step too far. It's time to reverse the decision and make sure Old Trafford remains as full as ever."
Meanwhile, a representative for the protest group The 1958 remarked: "It's unheard of for a Premier League game, it just doesn't happen – this has backfired massively."
A recent survey of 4,000 fans by the Manchester United Supporters' Trust found that 68% plan to attend fewer matches due to the ticket price hike, sparking concerns among the club's 55,000 season-ticket holders that they may face similar increases next season. Despite the backlash, Manchester United officials have justified their decision, citing the need to boost revenue after making significant staff cuts.
In a statement, the club explained: "As a club, we have been focused on cost saving to put us on a stronger financial footing.
"This means having to make very hard decisions, including a significant reduction in our staff numbers. It also means looking for opportunities to increase our revenues so we can continue to invest in football and infrastructure.
"We have now sold over 97 per cent of tickets this season, many of which were at a discounted rate. We are implementing some policy changes for matches that have already sold out, where only small numbers of tickets will be released."