Sir Jim Ratcliffe has come under fire in the last few months and Man Utd's Disabled Supporters Association are unhappy.
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Updated 11:13, 22 Mar 2025
The Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association are unhappy.
The Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association (MUDSA) has criticised a "decline in stewarding standards" and the decision to increase disabled parking by 15 per cent.
MUSDA published an open letter addressed to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his staff earlier this week. It detailed several issues that disabled United supporters have encountered this season.
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Rick Clement was recently appointed as MUDSA Secretary and he highlighted "declining" stewarding at Old Trafford, which he claimed has led to "poor communication" with disabled fans, "additional challenges" on matchdays for their members and other fans obstructing the view of disabled supporters.
Clement also criticised a further 15 per cent increase for disabled parking, which was announced six months after United confirmed they would not back down from a 20 per cent rise.
MUSDA believe United have increased the price of a blue badge for disabled season ticket holders to an "unjust" amount, and have written to Ratcliffe in an attempt to change his mind.
A segment from MUSDA's letter 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. Fans standing up around the ground has become so obstructive that some games result in missed action for long periods on the wheelchair platforms. My members and I consider these issues unacceptable and demand immediate attention.
"Despite the deterioration of the experience for our members when attending games, we are subsequently informed about the proposed price increases. While I am disappointed the proposed price hikes have not been frozen, I understand the price rise of 5%. I am concerned about the tiered ticketing system and what it will cost our non-season ticket holders to attend games.
"Furthermore, I and my members are shocked to discover a 15% increase in parking fees. There are two primary reasons behind our feelings. Firstly, 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.
Disabled United fans are unhappy with Ratcliffe.(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
"Many facilities provide complimentary disabled parking. While I do not anticipate that this should be extended to us, I feel some form of concession should be granted. 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. These are loyal fans who have made significant financial contributions over the years and should be valued. Many travel extensively to support the team.
"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. We believe that this is currently the case. I believe due to the small percentage of people using disabled parking this wouldn’t have a huge financial impact on the club and therefore the benefit outweighs the cost."
United issued a statement and said: “We take great pride in the facilities and services we provide for all disabled fans who attend matches at Old Trafford, and these have benefited from significant investment in recent years.
“Our strong commitment in this area is reflected by the fact the Premier League, who audit every match, have verified our operation to be of the highest standard.
“We regularly engage with the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association (MUDSA) to discuss how we can continue to deliver the best matchday experience for our fans with disabilities.
“Our commitment in this area is demonstrated by the donation the club continues to make each season to enable MUDSA to provide effective assistance and great experiences for their members.”