Man Utd forced to make change to ticket sales that is ‘unheard of’ as hated price hike ‘backfires massively’
United's biggest supporters trust have strongly criticised the club's decision
MANCHESTER UNITED have prompted further backlash after tickets for Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest were spotted on OPEN SALE.
The move comes amid growing resentment among fans after the Red Devils raised the price of tickets for members to £66.
But perhaps United’s plan to scrap concessions for children and pensioners has been hit with the most controversy.
Tickets returned by season-ticket holders are typically sold to members via the club’s website.
But the site had availability for the general public on all four sides of Old Trafford on Wednesday.
United have since confirmed that the Forest match has been sold out.
But the fact that they had to resort to an open sale is seen as significant.
A spokesman for the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust told : “Tickets for league home games have been gold dust for decades.
“But fans have a limit and the fact Forest tickets are on open sale should make the club see that £66 tickets are a step too far.
“It’s time to reverse the decision and make sure Old Trafford remains as full as ever.”
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Fans vented their anger at the Glazer family and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe during Sunday’s 4-0 win against Everton.
There are now fears among United’s 55,000 season-ticket holders that a hefty price hike is likely for them next season too.
There were even protests before the Everton game, with a banner raised reading “Stop Exploiting Loyalty”.
And a survey of 4,000 supporters by MUST revealed that 68 per cent will attend fewer games.
A spokesman for protest group The 1958 said: “It’s unheard of for a Premier League game to go on open sale through the club.
“It just doesn’t happen – this has backfired massively.”
SunSport have contact United for comment.
Despite the backlash, United chiefs have defended their decision in a statement, despite already saving fortunes by making a host of staff redundant.
It read: “As a club, we have been focused on cost saving to put us on a stronger financial footing.
What we know about the 'new' Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.
However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.
“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.”
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.”
Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal
RUBEN AMORIM lost his first game since taking charge of Man Utd after a 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates.
See how the players rated…
ANDRE ONANA – 5
He was let off early in the game after a stray pass saw Gabriel Martinelli put the ball in the net before the linesman raised his flag.
Failed to command his area as 5″10 Jurrien Timber leapt highest to rattle the back of his net, before the ball floated to the back post for Arsenal to score their second set piece.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Flashed a shot just wide at the end of the first half when he did eventually get forward.
Not bad defensively but more dangerous going forwards.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6
Formed a good partnership with Maguire in the first half, and fans will be hoping he is okay after suffering a slight knock.
Needed to be a more commanding figure in the box to stop being dominated by The Gunners at set pieces.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 7
Was actually very impressive in the first half, with a solid showing.
Not at fault for Timber’s header hitting the back of the net, before he was replaced by Leny Yoro.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Playing as a left-sided centre-back he looked fairly comfortable, which is a credit to the Moroccan’s versatility.
That said, he still looked better off in the role that Malacia, then Dalot occupied tonight as a left-wingback.
TYRELL MALACIA – 3
Noticeably looked extremely physically weak up against Bukayo Saka on the left-hand side, before being booked for a kick out at Kai Havertz.
Offered nothing going forward and his link-up with Garnacho was practically non-existent. Hooked at half-time for the far more threatening Amad.
MANUEL UGARTE – 5
Another one who was booked in the first half, he failed to establish any kind of presence in the game and on the ball, looked pretty woeful.
Cleared a Joshua Zirkzee header off of his own line to stop Arsenal from doubling their lead early in the second half.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 4
This game was crying out for Bruno Fernandes to stamp his authority on it, and it seemed he just couldn’t quite get his foot on the ball to do so.
Played a deeper role today, next to Ugarte, which meant we didn’t see any of his attacking spark.
MASON MOUNT – 3
Mason Mount at right wing was an experiment tried and failed at Chelsea, which Amorim tried again tonight.
He was often lost in the half-space, meaning he was essentially useless going forwards. Hooked in the second half after a fairly abysmal showing.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 5
A very quiet first half, only brightened by one half-decent cross, was met by a second half where he was quickly subbed for Marcus Rashford.
Quiet.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 6
Battled well with the physical presence of William Saliba early on, but his side failed to create him any kind of chances.
Cut a frustrated figure for most of the match, and rightly so. There will be no point signing Gyokeres if they can’t create anything for him to score.
SUBS
AMAD (TYRELL MALACIA, HT) – 5
Was more direct and definitely an improvement on Malacia, albeit on the opposite flank.
However, still wasn’t able to be the difference which Ruben Amorim would’ve been looking for in this one.
MARCUS RASHFORD (MASON MOUNT, 72) – 5
Having been electric on the whole under Amorim, he wasn’t able to provide any kind of spark against an opponent which has been one of his favourites in recent years.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (ALEJANDRO GARNACHO, 72) – 4
After an impressive display last time out, he failed to offer anything to his side going forward today.
The closest he came to scoring was a dangerous header which almost saw him get an own goal on the scoresheet.
LENY YORO (HARRY MAGUIRE, 72) – 6
Looks like a pretty good defender on the whole, a tough game for a young centre-back, but he didn’t look out of place whatsoever.
ANTONY (RASMUS HOJLUND, 79) – 5
Played his part in a clever free-kick routine at the end of the game, before fluffing his lines and finding the gloves of David Raya.