Manchester United have announced that they won’t introduce a pay-as-you-go season ticket option similar to local rivals Manchester City.
Ticketing at Old Trafford has frequently hit the headlines this year and usually for the wrong reasons.
It was announced earlier in the season that owners Ineos would be increasing matchday ticket prices to £66.
There has also been a recent announcement that ticket prices will be in line for another increase at the start of next season.
There have already been protests from groups like the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) and the 1958 in response to unfair ticket prices in their view.
Nonetheless, the Manchester Evening News reports that “Manchester United have told supporters they have no plans to introduce a pay-as-you-go season ticket option similar to the controversial flexi-gold scheme introduced by Manchester City.”
City introduced “the flexi-gold ticket last season” instead of offering new season tickets. “They have 1,100 flexi-gold users who pay a £150 membership fee, which guarantees them the option of buying a ticket in the same seat for all 19 Premier League games.”
Fans must attend 10 games to keep their flexi-gold ticket for next season but if they buy a ticket for all 19 games, it will cost £150 than a regular season ticket due to the membership fee.
The introduction of the scheme has irked numerous City supporters and the fan groups claimed that “in practical terms, fans are therefore being charged an additional £150 tax for being loyal to the club they love.”
Consequently, United fans will be happy that at least the club has decided not to go down this route that would make owners Ineos even more unpopular with match going fans.
Despite attracting such negative media attention for the price hikes, owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has defended the rise in ticket costs.
He has claimed that the club is in such a dire financial state that drastic action needs to be taken to ensure the future financial health of the organisation.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
