Manchester United finished 15th in the Premier League last season - their worst domestic campaign for more than 50 years Manchester United fans have accused the club of giving fans a "kick in the teeth" after announcing matchday ticket prices could reach £97. The most expensive matchday tickets at Old Trafford last season were £66. And this follows their worst domestic campaign since the 1973-74 season, when the club were relegated. Despite finishing 15th last season, the club are for the first time introducing price categories for the approximately 20,000 tickets available for each game. There are four categories, with the lowest reserved exclusively for "some" cup games. It means the lowest priced ticket for a Premier League game is £37, for the two category C matches against Sunderland and Wolves. That figure rises to £97 for the highest priced tickets in category A, which involves games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham. Club officials argue the £97 applies to less than 1% of the available tickets. Last season, matchday ticket prices for Premier League games at Old Trafford began at £40. But that policy was changed in mid-season to a flat £66, with no concessions for tickets not already sold. It meant £66 was the highest price charged for a matchday ticket. United sources say the new prices were lower than originally planned following discussion with supporters. However, the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) reject completely the idea there was any kind of consultation involved and expressed their dismay at United's announcement. "After how last season went, we might have hoped the club would reconsider their plans for this new ticketing model which will see eye-watering price increases for supporters who buy tickets on a match-by-match basis," said MUST. "This really is a fresh kick in the teeth for Manchester United fans. "When the club said they were introducing this new model, we urged them to keep the majority of matches at current levels and only apply the highest price category for a small number of the biggest games and reduce prices for lower demand games. "Once again, they have failed to consult any of the fans' representative bodies on the details of the decision and once again they're making choices against the interests of fans and, we believe, the club as a whole. "What Manchester United needs next season is a united fanbase and club, with the team on the pitch supported by loyal and vocal fans roaring it back after the disaster that was last year. "This match categorisation model will do enormous harm and undermine the atmosphere in the ground in a season when the team will need it more than ever." After the final match of last season, head coach Ruben Amorimcalled for fans to "stick together"with the club if they were to move forward. And in a wide-ranging interview with United We Stand published on Wednesday, United chief executive Omar Berrada said the rollout of the £66 decision, which was subsequently reversed, was "not good". However, club officials are adamant raising revenue through ticket prices is an essential part of balancing finances and said categorisation of games is a practice implemented by virtually all their Premier League rivals. According to theFootball Fancast,externalwebsite, four clubs had a larger highest ticket price last season than United are planning next, with Fulham at the top of the list on £160.
Ticket price rises 'kick in teeth', say Man Utd fans
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"Manchester United Fans Criticize Increased Ticket Prices Following Poor Season"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Manchester United fans have expressed their outrage following the club's announcement that matchday ticket prices could soar to £97, marking a significant increase from the previous season's highest ticket price of £66. This price hike comes on the heels of the club's disappointing performance, finishing 15th in the Premier League, their worst result in over 50 years. For the upcoming season, Manchester United is introducing a new ticket pricing model that categorizes the approximately 20,000 available match tickets into four tiers. The lowest price for a Premier League match will be £37, applicable only for select low-demand games, while the top tier tickets will reach £97 for high-profile matches against teams like Arsenal and Liverpool. Club officials contend that only about 1% of tickets will fall under the highest price category, yet fans, represented by the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), have strongly criticized the decision, claiming it represents a disregard for fan consultation and interests.
The fan group has voiced their frustration, suggesting that after a lackluster season, they expected the club to adopt a more considerate approach to ticket pricing. They had hoped for the majority of matches to remain at previous price levels and for the high prices to be reserved for only the most significant games. MUST highlighted the potential negative impact on the matchday atmosphere, stressing the need for a united fanbase to support the team in a crucial season ahead. Despite assurances from club officials that the price increases were lower than initially planned following discussions with supporters, MUST maintains that there was no genuine consultation with fan representatives. The club's chief executive, Omar Berrada, acknowledged previous ticket pricing decisions were poorly received, yet management insists that raising ticket prices is essential for the club's financial sustainability, a practice common among Premier League clubs. Comparatively, other clubs, such as Fulham, have set even higher ticket prices, further highlighting the competitive nature of matchday revenue in the league.
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