Manchester United’s controversial ticket price hike could have blown up in their faces.
New part-owners Ineos angered match-going fans this week with an announcement that ticket prices for the rest of the season would be raised to a minimum of £66, with no concessions for children or seniors.
This led to a planned protest that will take place this morning before the Premier League game against Everton.
The protest is not restricted to United fans, with the Toffee’s travelling support pledging to join in and also Liverpool and Man City fans to mount their own process before their match at Anfield.
Eagle-eyed journalist Si Lloyd noted this morning that the outrageous increase imposed midseason may have affected ticket sales already, leaving Ineos with egg on their faces.
Lloyd notes that “Hours until kick-off in a Sunday afternoon league game at Old Trafford and there’s plenty of tickets available all over the ground (new £66 minimum price in place). This isn’t normal.”
United vs Everton would always be a complete sell-out and whilst that might still happen in these last few hours, it shows the depth of feeling among the fan base that this remains the case.
This feels significant. Hours until kick-off in a Sunday afternoon league game at Old Trafford and there’s plenty of tickets available all over the ground (new £66 minimum price in place). This isn’t normal. pic.twitter.com/eHtuTJIo5m
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) December 1, 2024
Concerns were also raised over recent seasons over the fairness of ticket distribution in general at Old Trafford.
Members have always been given priority when buying tickets, which used to go on sale for individual games a few weeks before the match takes place.
This has now changed to a situation where most of the whole season’s Premier League tickets are sold in July, forcing fans to pay up early.
What’s more, fans have complained that the allocation is so tiny that they are sold out within seconds of the sale opening, with fans then offered extortionate VIP tickets as their only option – many being average seats in poor positions merely being “upgraded” to VIP by having a museum tour thrown in.
Fans wishing to join today’s protest can assemble at the Trinity statue at 12.30pm.
Good Morning 🔴
Don’t forget the protest before the game against Everton at Old Trafford tomorrow.
📍12:30 Trinity statue. pic.twitter.com/XZHnJSLQS6
— Paul Manc Bald and Bred (@MufcWonItAll2) November 30, 2024
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
