The new owner of Manchester United plans to triple operating profit under a five-year plan which would see ticket prices rise sharply, according to reports in the London Timestoday.
US investor Malcolm Glazer, who gained control of the club last month after a two-year fight, hopes to boost annual profits to £114.3 million by 2010, the paper said.
Glazer could further anger supporters who opposed his takeover by raising ticket prices by up to 54 per cent within five years.
The report, citing previously unseen documents, said the club hopes to raise total revenues by 52 per cent to £245.6 million by 2010. If the plans are adopted, United fans would pay an average of £46 to watch a game in 2010.
However, the proposals have yet to be finalised and could still be changed, the Timesquoted a source as saying.
No one at the club could be reached for comment.
Glazer plans to delist United from the London Stock Exchange as early as June 22nd as part of his £790 million takeover, his bankers said in May.
Glazer's takeover has angered many United fans who fear he will hike ticket prices and cut back on player investment to pay back the hefty loans he used to buy the club.
The Timesreportsthe documents make no mention of any plans to sell the club's Old Trafford stadium and lease it back.
The paper said Alex Ferguson will have a £25 million net annual budget to buy new players over the next five years, compared to an average spend per season of £19.4 million since 1998.