MANCHESTER UNITED have prompted further fan fury by doubling down on their mid-season decision to raise ticket prices.
Red Devils chiefs have upped minimum ticket prices to £66 per game, with no concessions for kids or senior citizens.
GettyMan Utd fans have protested the controversial ticket decision[/caption]
AlamySir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos have made several cuts since buying a chunk of Man Utd[/caption]
Last week the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) criticised the decision in a strong statement, while a fan also claimed to have been “kicked out” of last night’s FA Cup draw for holding up a phone with the message “£66 thieves”.
There were protests at Sunday’s game against Everton at Old Trafford, with a banner raised reading “Stop Exploiting Loyalty”.
Responding to the backlash, Man Utd chiefs defended their decision in a statement.
It read: “As a club, we have been focused on cost saving to put us on a stronger financial footing.
“This means having to make very hard decisions, including a significant reduction in our staff numbers.
“It also means looking for opportunities to increase our revenues so we can continue to invest in football and infrastructure.
“We have now sold over 97 per cent of tickets this season, many of which were at a discounted rate.
“We are implementing some policy changes for matches that have already sold out, where only small numbers of tickets will be released.”
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Fans affected have been emailed by club chiefs, with several expressing their dissatisfaction on social media.
One post read: “Absolute waffle from United in that email about the ticket price rises, they can butter it up anyway they want, but there is and never will be any excuse for charging children £66 to watch a football game at Old Trafford.”
While a second added: “Absolute state of that email from United. Talk about not reading the room. Or maybe they have and they just don’t care and never will.”
Man Utd forked out £10.4million in compensation when they sacked former boss Erik ten Hag last month.
They then triggered an £11m release clause to prise new manager Ruben Amorim from Sporting.
In the last financial year up to June 30, the Red Devils posted net losses of £113.2m.
Fans have been left unhappy that newly-tightened financial measures are being taken out on them.
‘OFFENSIVE’
MUST’s statement last week read: “The club has provided zero consultation on the matter, neither with the Forum nor the Fan Advisory Board nor MUST.
“We were simply informed of the decision that there will be price rises affecting certain fans that are ‘urgently needed’ to address profitability and sustainability concerns.
“Suffice it to say, that the idea that the fans must pay their “fair share” for the club’s excesses and/or mismanagement—and above all, the Glazers lack of investment over two decades—is offensive.
“We fans have done everything we have been asked. We have cheered the players on even in the face of substandard performance.
‘MASSIVE PRESSURE’
“We have gone to matches and abided by the new usage rules for tickets. We have taken on a price increase this year.
“This is in addition to the hundreds, even thousands loyal fans pay to follow United home and away.
“There is a risk that this is only the opening salvo of what will surely be massive pressure to implement a significant price rise for next season.
“Once they have got used to charging £132 for a parent and child to come to OT, will they really go back to the old pricing levels for next season?”
The statement continued by saying they object to the move in “the strongest possible terms” and it was a “step backward” based on previous talks between them and the club from before Ineos’ arrival.
They added: “Over the coming days MUST will be seeking urgent discussions with the club to get them to listen to fans’ concern at this policy.
“United fans have sucked up a lot. We will not be silent on this and we need to be prepared to resist any attempts to further drive up ticket prices.”
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s arrival earlier this year, Man Utd have let 250 employees go, stopped paying Sir Alex Ferguson‘s £2million-a-year ambassadorial salary, cancelled the Christmas party, and axed company credit cards and private chauffeurs.
The Ineos chief has also scrapped staff lunches, accommodation, extra tickets and post-match parties.
ReutersMan Utd fans protested the decision at Sunday’s game[/caption]