United fans group urges Glazers to cut cost of season ticket

Manchester United fans' groups have demanded a cut in season-ticket prices for next season (Getty Images)

A Manchester United fans' group has demanded a reduction in season ticket prices next term. Two years ago, United pegged prices but raised them this year following an increase in VAT.

It is anticipated the club will announce next season's prices later this month. However, it seems unlikely the Manchester United Supporters' Trust will get their wish for a cut.

With the Red Devils steam-rollering their way towards a 20th league title – and a fifth in six seasons – demand at Old Trafford remains high, with 52,000 season ticket holders.

With revenue falling in the second half of this season due to an early exit from Europe, it is hard to see why the Glazer family would feel it necessary to cut prices, even if the MUST chief executive, Duncan Drasdo, believes that is what should happen.

"We are throwing down a challenge to [joint-chairman] Joel Glazer to cut United fans' season ticket prices next season," said Drasdo. "Given the lack of squad investment while huge revenues are coming in and the Glazers' constantly dipping into the club's bank account, it is long overdue that the loyal supporters received a cut in their ticket prices."

The amount of money spent on players has been the subject of intense scrutiny by some United supporters. It is undeniable that rival clubs have spent more, but United's hierarchy counter this by pointing to Chelsea's purchase of Fernando Torres for a British record £50m and Andy Carroll's arrival at Liverpool for £35m as proof that money does not necessarily buy success.

Two of the more notable purchases of Sir Alex Ferguson's time in charge, £28m for Juan Sebastian Veron and £30.75m on Dimitar Berbatov, have been qualified successes at best and, to some, a complete waste of money.

In addition, United's stunning recent successes suggest that Ferguson's preference to invest in youth is working, even if this season's group stage exit from the Champions League was a significant setback.

"The Glazers have been responsible for more than £500m flowing out of United in fees, charges and other payments relating to their hostile takeover of our club," said Drasdo, who claimed that in the past three years United's net transfer spend has been less than Hull, Blackpool and Burnley.