Sir Jim Ratcliffe urged to 'end war on season ticket holders' as Manchester United Supporters Trust call for 'major reset' in strongly-worded statement

Britain’s richest man has, after seeing his INEOS group acquire a stake in the Red Devils that grants them control of football operations, been busy implementing cost-cutting measures since filling a seat on the board at Old Trafford.

That process has been widely condemned, by supporters and former players, with United’s hierarchy accused of ripping the heart out of the club and passing ever-growing debts on to a loyal fan base that has been given little to shout about on the field of late.

MUST are now calling on Ratcliffe to implement a "major reset of relations between fans and the club", citing “performances on the field amongst the worst in decades”. They are reacting to mid-season ticket price hikes, with the threat of more to come.

Ratcliffe and Co have been told that bold decisions are being made at the "worst possible time", with part of the angry MUST statement reading: "As you consider forthcoming decisions on match ticketing policies and pricing, we urge you to pause and carefully reflect on the timing, potential consequences, and long-term impact of any major changes.

"Judging by your own public comments it seems you may have come to the conclusion that ticket pricing and policies are in need of a major review. However, we strongly believe that now is the worst possible time to implement significant changes. With the team struggling on the pitch and fan sentiment already at a low ebb, we all need to pull together to lift the team’s performance, not risk deepening divisions or creating further dissatisfaction."

Said statement signs off by saying, as advice is offered to those calling the shots: "By freezing prices and avoiding major disruptive policy changes now, you have the opportunity to signal that you value the unique role of fans in Manchester United’s success. Together, we can build a stronger future for the club. The consequences of ignoring this are significant, but the benefits of getting it right are immeasurable."

It is not the first time that the Manchester United Supporters Trust has directly addressed leaders at Old Trafford, with CEO Omar Berrada asked in November 2024 to reassess plans for £66 minimum ticket prices. For now, with the Red Devils sat 12th in the Premier League table, the complaints continue to fall on deaf ears.