Man United fans hit back after being ‘ignored’ by club as season-ticket prices are hiked for FIFTH year in a row

The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust have expressed their disappointment after the club announced plans to increase season-ticket prices by five per cent in most areas of Old Trafford next season.

United have hiked prices for the fifth year in a row after they were frozen for more than a decade, saying it would ‘drive revenues to reinvest in football and our facilities’. However, season-ticket prices for the Executive Club will remain the same if purchased before April 15.

MUST issued a statement on Friday, saying: ‘It is disappointing that the club has ignored our call, as part of the FSA’s league-wide campaign, for a ticket price freeze. Supporters are paying more and more to watch their team, and as the FSA campaign said: enough is enough.’

The group also hit out at plans to move more fans from the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand to increase hospitality seating, which United said would reflect ‘the high value of this location’ and also allow for changes to be made to the dugouts in preparation for a possible return to Europe next season.

MUST added: ‘We’ve also learned that 600 more loyal fans are being moved for ever more hospitality. Those people will be understandably furious, and need to be better treated by the club than those who went through the same thing last year were.’

The group praised United for not tightening the already unpopular seat usage policy. The rules mean that fans risk losing their season ticket unless they use it for at least 16 of 19 Premier League home games or forward it, list it for resale or donate the cost of their seat through the club’s official channels.

The issue is particularly sensitive at the moment after two more United games this season were moved to Monday night to accommodate live TV coverage, meaning the club will have only had three home Premier League fixtures kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday in the last two seasons.

A club statement said: ‘This decision follows constructive discussions with fan representatives on the Fans’ Advisory Board and wider supporter groups. We understand the challenges supporters face – particularly with our matches’ dates and timings being rearranged after selection for broadcast – and we recognise the importance of a policy that is both fair and flexible.

‘We are encouraged that the vast majority of season ticket holders are on course to meet their usage threshold this season, and Old Trafford and the team continue to benefit from a strong attendance and a vibrant atmosphere with very few empty seats.’

The club also said they will retain the option of donating the cost of tickets to the Manchester United Foundation for supporters who can’t attend.

MUST welcomed the move to keep the rules as they are, saying: ‘We are pleased the club listened to some of our concerns and there are no further restrictions on season ticket holders forwarding their tickets and no increase in the minimum usage rules. Football clubs make better decisions when they listen to fans – they should do it more!’

United say the season-ticket price rises equate to just over £2-per-game on average for adult season-ticket holders, and £1 per game for under 16s.

The lowest price for an adult general admission season ticket at Old Trafford will be £646 – working out at £34 per match across 19 Premier League home fixtures.

The club have also kept current concessions in place which mean the lowest concessionary prices are £12 for Under-16s in the family area, £17 for Under-16-17s, £25.50 for Under-18-20s, and £25.50 for Over-66s.