Man Utd angered season ticket holders last season by announcing plans to replace their seats with premium hospitality.
The new premium seating at Old Trafford.(Image: Steven Railston)
Manchester United's new premium seating at Old Trafford was seen for the first time before the Fiorentina friendly.
Last season, season ticket holders behind the dugouts in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand were informed their seats would be converted into premium hospitality seats, which meant they would be relocated.
Around 500 supporters were affected and the club received intense backlash. Some of the fans who were forced to move have platinum season tickets (25+ years) and felt their loyalty meant nothing.
The Manchester Evening News were told a supporter in his 60s struggled to sleep after being informed he would be required to move, while another in his 80s expected to give up his season ticket due to concerns over access.
The decision triggered protests from the affected fans, who aimed banners at the directors' box.
Despite the controversy, the changes to convert the area into premium seating were made this summer and they were seen for the first time before the Fiorentina friendly on Saturday.
The first glimpse of the new premium area.
The seats are near the pitch and offer easy access in and out of the stadium. They also offer a close view of Ruben Amorim on the touchline and the players on the bench are almost within touching distance.
Defending their decision, United previously explained it was made to 'reflect the high value of this unique location.' They also claimed that they: "Appreciate the disruption this will cause those fans who currently sit there and we will be contacting them individually to ensure a suitable alternative seat is found."
Fans protested in front of the directors' box.
In March, one season ticket holder of 40 years, who had tickets with his family and didn't wish to be named while in the process of being moved, said: "The people who are in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand are the people who've been season ticket holders and supporting the club the longest.
"There's been several clips on social media about people talking about having had those season tickets for over 50 years. I’ve had mine for 40. So you're attacking the people who've supported the club through some very thin times over the years, and they're the people who will continue to bring in the next generation of support.
"With a flimsy email, with no consultation or discussion, tell them you're off and at the moment we can't actually tell you where you're going is really bad. We've had contact with a number of people who are thinking if that's the way it is, I think the love affair’s over, unfortunately."
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has come under fire for ticket prices since gaining control of football operations at United, and fans are set to protest against the ownership of the club before Arsenal next week.
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