Man Utd senior ticket price rises 'a total disgrace'

A Manchester United fan group says the season ticket price rises faced by some of the club's older supporters are "a total disgrace".

United announced on Monday that most prices will increase by about 5% for the third successive year, with a price freeze for under-16s, but some senior citizens face bigger hikes.

A 50% discount for some of those fans has been halved to an across-the-board 25% and will now track the state pension age of 66.

Fan group The 1958 says that effectively equates to a 57% increase for the club's "most loyal generational fans who have supported the club for decades".

It said in a statement: "This is the first phase of reducing the amount of season ticket holders.

"We have always campaigned the club are trying to marginalise matchgoing fans. Cutting the 50% OAP concession to 25% for those who had it is a total disgrace."

BBC Sport's Manchester United club page asked for reaction to the announcement. Some of those who responded called the price rises "cynical" and "insulting", while one fan said they were "heartbroken" and could no longer afford to go.

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) said it would seek "urgent discussions" with the club and wanted any reduction in senior discount to be phased in over more than one season.

"The effect of this policy change is big price hikes for older fans and it is no surprise that now they have been announced they're causing such huge concern," MUST said in a statement.

Announcing the price changes, United chief executive Omar Berrada said the club "worked hard to come up with a pricing package that is fair and reasonable" and stated that the new changes are being made "to offset continued rises in operating costs".

United have implemented a number of cost-cutting measures in recent times, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe saying these have been "necessary to put Manchester United back on to a stable footing".

United consulted with their Fans' Advisory Board and said season ticket prices remain lower than a decade ago when adjusted for inflation and are comparable with other clubs in north-west England, with prices frozen for 11 consecutive seasons up to 2022.

The club said the reduction in senior discount removed an anomaly from which some fans benefited from a 50% reduction and others 25%, allowing United to preserve concessions for all senior tickets.

BBC Sport asked fans who follow our Manchester United club page for their thoughts on the season ticket price rises.

Diane: Got my email today with ticket price for next season. Disgusted and upset. As a pensioner, I was expecting the increase to have been 30%, 5% price increase and 25% concession. No, it equates to 60%!! I've been supporting United since 1967. This is insulting!

Victor: Ours have gone up by £346 that's an extra £18.75 per game, so much for loyalty. I've been going since 1957 and this is how they treat us.

Ian: My OAP season ticket price has increased by nearly 60%, £484 to £769. I attended by first game in 1965 whilst at school. I consider the increase is cynical. Loyalty means nothing to Ineos.

Lynda: As a pensioner my season ticket will go up by £254 a season. £15 more a match. I have been a supporter since 1960 and now I can't afford to go. Heartbroken. How can they justify punishing us the most.

Philip: As a 76 year old season ticket holder my renewal for next season is to increase by 58% from £494 to £840. I have been a ticket holder for over 25 years and have support the club since I was 12 years old but no longer. This is my last season and it's a disgrace.

Christopher: I am 82 years old. Supported since 1956. Season Ticket holder. Gone up in price from £494 to £840.75 a 70% increase. Is this fair? I think it's a disgrace. They want pensioners out that's clear.

John: I and family members will be moved from our seats near the dugouts. We have been there for 50 years. There are many older fans there. I am 81 and less mobile than I was. For 70 years I have followed United home and away, being born and raised in Salford. My ticket for my current seat would increase in price by around 75% if I were not to be moved. Depending on where we are moved to this may be my last season. The club should remember that fans like me are there through good times and bad unlike "tourist " corporate customers. I am very sad and upset by this.