Manchester United has been compelled to reduce ticket prices for the upcoming derby against their local rivals, Manchester City. Following an extended international break, United will resume Premier League play on Sunday with a home match against Pep Guardiola’s team. Prior to the break, Manchester United secured a decisive victory over struggling Leicester City, yet they currently sit in 13th place in the league standings. In contrast, Manchester City occupies the fifth position as they aim to conclude a disappointing season with both Champions League qualification and success in the FA Cup, having recently triumphed over Bournemouth in the quarter-finals.
The issue of ticket pricing has sparked considerable debate at Old Trafford this season, particularly after Sir Jim Ratcliffe increased the minimum price for home games to £66 and eliminated concessions for children and senior citizens. However, with numerous tickets still available for the Manchester derby, United has had to lower prices, as reported by The Sun.
Tickets are now available for £40 (£25 for concessions), and the club is hopeful for a sell-out crowd. The Manchester United supporters’ group, 1958, is organizing a protest regarding ticket prices during the derby, encouraging fans to participate in a ‘sit-in’ by remaining in their seats after the final whistle. Steve Crompton, a representative of The 1958, stated, “One of the most impactful protests we’ve conducted was the sit-in. We will be holding another one against Manchester City next weekend.”
Last month, the Manchester United Supporters Trust urged the club to “listen to the voice of the fans” following a confirmed 5% increase in season ticket prices. A spokesperson for the organization remarked, “The reaction to these recent changes should indicate to the club the importance of proper fan consultation regarding proposed policy changes. These are challenging times for Manchester United, both on and off the pitch. We can only overcome this slump if the entire club unites, which includes heeding the fans’ voices.”
Manchester United, recognized as the most successful club in Premier League history, has spent the majority of the season in the lower half of the standings. The team’s performance was lackluster under former manager Erik ten Hag, and there has been little improvement since Ruben Amorim took over. Prior to the Premier League match against Arsenal last month, thousands of supporters demonstrated against the club’s ownership.
It appears that Manchester United is likely to conclude the season in the lower half of the Premier League; however, they still have a chance to qualify for the Champions League by securing victory in the Europa League.
Amorim’s team is set to compete against the French club Lyon in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with the first leg scheduled for April 10. Meanwhile, Manchester City, who were eliminated from the Champions League by the reigning champions Real Madrid, are on track to qualify for Europe’s premier competition through their performance in the Premier League. Additionally, Guardiola’s squad is just two matches away from claiming another FA Cup title, facing Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals, while Crystal Palace will compete against Aston Villa in the other semi-final at Wembley.
Leave a Reply