The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has issued a strongly-worded statement calling on Sir Jim Ratcliffe to "end war on season ticket holders" and implement a "major reset" in relations between fans and the club.
Britain's richest man, whose INEOS group recently acquired a controlling stake in Manchester United's football operations, has been implementing cost-cutting measures since joining the board at Old Trafford. These actions have drawn widespread criticism from both supporters and former players, who argue that the club's hierarchy is destroying its core values while passing increasing debts onto loyal fans who have had little to celebrate on the field recently.
In their statement, MUST emphasized the poor timing of these decisions, particularly regarding mid-season ticket price increases. "We strongly believe that now is the worst possible time to implement significant changes," the trust declared, pointing to the team's struggling performance and low fan morale. They urged Ratcliffe and his team to "pause and carefully reflect" on the timing and potential consequences of any major changes to ticketing policies.
The supporters' organization stressed the importance of unity during this challenging period, suggesting that the focus should be on improving team performance rather than creating further divisions within the club community. "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," MUST stated, adding that "the consequences of ignoring this are significant, but the benefits of getting it right are immeasurable."
This isn't the first time MUST has confronted club leadership over ticketing issues. In November 2024, they approached CEO Omar Berrada regarding plans for £66 minimum ticket prices. However, with Manchester United currently languishing in 12th place in the Premier League table, these appeals appear to have made little impact on the club's decision-making process.
The situation reflects growing tensions between the club's commercial objectives and its traditional fan base, with performances on the field described as "amongst the worst in decades." As the debate continues, the challenge for Ratcliffe and his team will be finding a balance between financial sustainability and maintaining the club's deep-rooted connection with its supporters.
