Man United fuel concerns over ticket price rises as club admits needing to make ‘difficult decisions’ to avoid possible PSR breach

Manchester United have fuelled fears over ticket price rises at Old Trafford next season by confirming the club must make ‘difficult choices’ to become profitable again.

New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has instigated a raft of cuts since his £1.3billion minority takeover, including upsetting fans by increasing prices to £66 in the middle of the season and scrapping concessions for children and pensioners.

It has raised concerns over widespread increases in the summer, and protest group The 1958 and fan coalition FC58 wrote to United urging the club to not only freeze season ticket prices but also consider reducing them.

United replied by saying the club didn’t expect supporters to cover all their losses, but admitted the matter is under discussion in consultation with its Fans’ Advisory Board. Surprisingly, United also invited both bodies to offer up their own suggestions to save money.

Responding on behalf of chief executive Omar Berrada and director of fan engagement Rick McGagh, United wrote: ‘We are currently making a significant loss each year – totalling over £300m in the past 3 years. This is not sustainable and if we do not act now we are in danger of failing to comply with PSR/FFP requirements in future years and significantly impacting our ability to compete on the pitch.

‘We will get back to a cash positive position as soon as possible and we will have to make some difficult choices to get there. That has included a significant reduction to our workforce as well as cuts across many areas of spend across our club. None of this has been easy, but we believe it is essential to restoring financial sustainability to the club which will underpin us as we work to get back to the top of English and European football.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has introduced major cuts at the club in a bid to make the club profitable 

Man United cited losses totalling over £300m in the past three years in their response to fans

‘We do not expect fans to make up all the current shortfall – but we do need to look at our ticketing strategy to ensure we are charging the right amount, and offering the right discounts, across our products for our fans.

‘Once we have an approved strategy and pricing policy for the 25/26 season we will communicate the details to all fans. At this time, no decisions have been taken and the process of consultation is beginning. Until we have an outcome we will not be commenting further regarding what may or may not change for next season.’

The club’s letter concluded by saying: ‘We are always happy to listen to fan-led ideas about ways to grow revenue so please do share any thoughts you have on this.’

The 1958 and FC58 had urged the club not to price out match-going fans by raising the cost of tickets.

They wrote: ‘Football must remain accessible to all, not just the privileged few. By making tickets unaffordable, clubs risk alienating the people who have supported them through thick and thin, eroding the soul of the game for short-term financial gain. It’s time to prioritise fans, not profits.

‘Now, the club faces another choice: whether to prioritise short-term financial gains, money we believe is largely inconsequential to the sustainability and success of our club, or to invest in the long-term preservation of the community and culture that defines Manchester United.

The 1958 and FC58 urged the club not to price out match-going fans by raising cost of tickets

‘We know the club will argue that every penny generated is reinvested, but the revenue from ticket price increases for general admission and season ticket holders represents a fraction of the club’s overall income. With the club now having the largest capacity in the country, a strong corporate offer, more matches in the extended European Leagues format (and greater income from these competitions), plus the prospect of a greater share from the new £12.25bn TV rights deal, this further lessens the impact of year-on-year price rises.

‘It is a myth that ticket price rises are required to remain competitive. Pricing out supporters’ risks undermining the very foundation of what makes our club special.

‘Prices for general admission tickets and season tickets to be reduced for the upcoming season. The Football Supporters’ Association has called for a freeze across the Premier League, but we believe prices are already too high and should be reduced.’