Man Utd and INEOS slammed for 'offensive' mid-season ticket price hikes

According to The Athletic, the next step in co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cost-cutting regime - which includes staff redundancies and Sir Alex Ferguson's dismissal - is the rise of ticket prices. Concessions for children and over-65s have been removed, with tickets for home games for the rest of the season costing £66 regardless of the buyer's age.

In an email, the club explained that the price hikes for all remaining tickets are necessary to improve "operational efficiencies" and "stabilise revenues". INEOS are also exploring ways to fund a new Old Trafford, with plans to build a 100,000-seater stadium.

In a statement, the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) criticised the "offensive" move, which came at short notice.

“This means that for an adult member to take their kid to a game in the remainder of this season will cost £132. Well over double the minimum price they could pay to do it today. And this change is happening overnight, immediately," MUST said.

“The club has provided zero consultation on the matter, neither with the Forum nor the Fan Advisory Board nor MUST.

“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. We have gone to matches and abided by the new usage rules for tickets. We have taken on a price increase this year.

“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 Old Trafford, will they really go back to the old pricing levels for next season?

“If the club has a need for short term capital they should issue new shares, as they did when INEOS first arrived, and bring in funding from existing or new shareholders.

“We have objected to this action in the strongest possible terms, both for the action itself and the complete lack of consultation, which is a step backward based on the process we had agreed with the club before INEOS’ arrival.

“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.”

A peaceful protest against the increases will be held at the Trinity Statue outside Old Trafford before Sunday's game against Everton, The 1958 have announced.

Before that game, Ruben Amorim's side will take on Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday as the new head coach prepares to meet the Old Trafford faithful for the first time.