Manchester United Set to Raise Season Ticket Prices by 5%

In the most recent attempt to address the financial problems of the Premier League club, Manchester United revealed on Monday a raise in Old Trafford’s season ticket prices of about 5%.

With exemption of under-16s, ticket prices for men’s matches will rise by an average of 2.50 pounds ($3.25).

“After 11 consecutive years of price freezes, we raised prices by five percent for the past two seasons and intend to do the same for next season to offset continuous rises in operating costs,” United’s Chief Executive Omar Berrada stated.

“We listened closely to the strong points made by the Fan Advisory Board in support of a freeze since we know that any price increase is unacceptable, particularly in an underperformance on the pitch.

“The club has concluded, nevertheless, that it would not be appropriate to keep rates the same while expenses climb and financial problems persist.

“We have kept the increase to the lowest possible level and safeguarded our youngest season-ticket holders from any rises, so ensuring the club stays financially strong enough to invest in team improvement.”

United is wallowing 13th in the Premier League table, and earlier this month thousands of supporters planned demonstrations against the club’s leadership.

Although the most recent ticket price hike was “less than many feared,” the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) voiced dismay that the team had turned down the demand for a broad price freeze.

“For several months we have argued long and hard that the club need to look at the big picture and freeze ticket prices for next season,” says a MUST statement.

“Other clubs have done already and at United it would have sent a powerful message about the need of everyone pulling together to get the club out from the very difficult position it finds itself in.”

United this week revealed plans to build a new two billion pounds, 100,000-seater stadium, the biggest in Britain, having disclosed 150 to 200 job losses last month. Including unpaid transfer fees of three hundred million pounds, United’s present debt exceeds one billion pounds.