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Manchester United has once more been criticised for another one of their cost-cutting schemes.
INEOS has carried out a massive range of exercises to relieve the financial pressure of the club.
Around 250 members of staff have been made redundant, the annual Christmas party has been cancelled, and reduced staffing was taken on the pre-season tour.
The most controversial until now has been the ending of Sir Alex Ferguson’s contract as the club’s global ambassador.
Since retiring as manager, Ferguson has been working in this role, earning £2 million per year. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has told the legendary manager that his contract will not be renewed next year.
On the back of this, Ratcliffe made the call to cut their £40,000 per year contribution to the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association (MUDSA) in half.
However, The Athletic has reported that United have raised their ticket prices, eliminating concessions for children and over-65s. Now, home tickets will be £66 for the rest of the season irrelevant of the fan’s age.
In an email, United explained the change in the prices as necessary to improve “operational efficiencies” and “stabilise revenues”. This is also considered a factor in funding the new Old Trafford, the Wembley of the North.
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Manchester United fans respond to price hikes
The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) have responded to the most recent move, calling it an “offensive”.
In a statement, the group commented: “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,”
“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.”
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