Former Manchester United duo Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt have criticised the club’s handling of relocating fans on top of the 5% rise in adult prices for season tickets ahead of the 2025/26 season.
There is utter dismay being expressed towards Manchester United following the latest ticket fiasco at Old Trafford, with plans for more anti-Glazer protests announced and planned for the future.
United fans have been unhappy with the ticketing situation since the club made a controversial mid-season decision to raise matchday ticket prices to £66 per game in the Premier League, which meant no concessions for children or pensioners.
The same loyal fans were shown further disregard by the club’s owners when season ticket prices for 2025/26 were announced this week and the majority have risen by 5%. Perhaps the biggest slap in the face came with the decision to half the pensioner discount from 50%.
It’s another kick in the teeth for senior Reds who have given their support for decades, with a few thousand understood to be affected. The Telegraph told Marilyn Chadderton’s story as the proud 78-year-old season ticket holder, whose first game was pre-Munich, has been given a renewal quote up 70% to £840.75.
These are uncertain times for United’s most loyal supporters amid strong fears many will be priced out of following their beloved football club.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs slam Sir Jim Ratcliffe for punishing Man Utd fans
Sir Jim Ratcliffe knew before he became Manchester United co-owner that the Glazer family were unpopular owners. Some might say the most unpopular owners in the Premier League for their gross mismanagement and lack of care for the football club over the past 20 years.
Dealing with the Glazers has never been an easy task and Ratcliffe is likely to find out the hard way, with Ineos getting the blame for controversial decisions made in the past year.
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Former United academy graduates Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs doesn’t think Ratcliffe is doing himself any favours by raising ticket prices, with the former knowing friends who have been informed they must relocate their season tickets after 25 years of attendance.
United pricing out our most loyal supporters.
Who have supported home and away for decades.
Hit with a 50% plus ST price hike.
Shameful decision by the club to once again cover Glazer greed and mismanagement.
They want the loyal fanbase gone!
The Glazers need to go!
The… https://t.co/YqyU9Guf2X
— The 1958 (@The__1958) March 19, 2025
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The pair spoke to the Daily Mail at a gala dinner in Manchester on Thursday evening, which saw Foundation 92 (a charity founded by the Class of 92) raise £267,000.
When asked for their thoughts on the ticket price rises and plans to move fans out of their seats to create a VIP dugout area, Butt said: “They’re punishing the wrong people, in my eyes, to try and balance the books.
“There are a lot of things I think they’re doing wrong, but we all know that and it’s sad to see because I’ve loved my Man Utd since I was six years of age and it’s not the Man United that I know and loved.”
In addition, Giggs spoke about his friends who have been told they need to relocate their seats at Old Trafford.
Giggs said: “I can only speak for my mates who have been behind the dugout for 25 years. They’re got their names on the seats, and they’re getting turfed away.
“It’s difficult, they don’t know where they’re going to go. It’s tough to see the club in this sort of situation.”
Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association slams club
Manchester United have been criticised by a disabled supporters’ group amid the effects of cost-cutting measures implemented by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The latest changes to United’s ticketing will impact thousands of supporters for different reasons.
In a new statement issued by the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association (MUDSA), “grave concerns” were raised regarding the club’s questionable treatment of fans.
MUDSA highlight the decline in stewarding standards in a letter written to Ineos and Ratcliffe. They also slated the club’s decision to increase parking charges at Old Trafford by 15% ahead of next season.
A letter from MUDSA secretary Rick Clement read: “During my short tenure as secretary, I have witnessed a decline in stewarding standards. Stewards have been observed with poor communication skills and an unwillingness to engage verbally with our members. They are also lacking training in understanding the needs of individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, they have been found to be unprepared to respond promptly to alarms raised in disabled toilets. Individuals who require assistance entering the stadium have encountered additional challenges and anxieties.”
The letter continued: “While I am willing to assist in training stewards, I believe that the primary responsibility for addressing these concerns lies with the club and its decision to transition to a majority of agency stewards.”
Addressing the parking charges, Clement added: “Using a car or mobility vehicle is essential for many of our members to attend matches. Public transportation is not a viable option for many of us. Train station access and assistance are among the numerous challenges we face. Therefore, I believe it is highly unjust to impose this price increase.
“Unemployment rates in the disabled community are significantly higher than the general population. Many of our members are already struggling to afford to attend games. If these price increases are implemented, I have received numerous messages indicating that many members will be unable to renew their memberships.
“I urge you to consider implementing a disabled parking discount, which would be a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that disabled individuals are not disadvantaged.”