Manchester United have announced massive season ticket price hikes of up to 24 per cent as they bid to claw back a £14 million loss in media revenues and stave off the threat of a Malcolm Glazer takeover.
The club estimate the increases, which average out at 10 per cent across Old Trafford's 67,500-capacity stadium, will net them an extra £4 million per season and insist their prices remain among the lowest in the Barclays Premiership.
However, they are sure to attract criticism, particularly from the 11 per cent of supporters now being asked to pay an extra £133 for a 19-game league campaign and lead to allegations that the new pricing structure has only been introduced in an effort to win over shareholders ahead of Glazer's anticipated £800 million bid.
"The club realises that no price rise will ever be welcomed and that many fans would like to see ticket prices cut," said a United statement. "These price rises are announced at a time when the club's media revenues are under a pressure that is unlikely to ease in the next couple of years, leaving it facing a significant challenge in increasing its income to make up for that loss.
"The impact of these proposals will increase the Premier League matchday gate receipts by around £4 million next season but the amount raised is still significantly below the loss of over £14 million of media revenues this season."