Man. Utd set to go to war with fans… in the name of business
The Red Devils have informed holders of annual seats near the benches that they will be moving them
«Friends, friends, business aside.»
The saying is Portuguese, but it can be adapted to what is about to happen at Old Trafford, and promises to be a new war bought by the Manchester United management with the fans. And especially with those who, in recent decades, have been most loyal.
In recent days, hundreds of annual seat holders in the Sir Bobby Chalton Stand, on the substitutes’ bench side, have received an email informing them that they will be moved next season.
The decision will affect people who have had the same seat for 40 or 50 years, and who will now be relocated to other parts of the stadium, since the club has decided to allocate those seats to guests, or make them more expensive seats, similar to what happens, for example, in the NBA.
The measure will also affect places with reduced mobility, and the club has not yet announced where fans who will no longer be able to stay in the area near the benches, the point from which they have always watched the club’s games, will be relocated.
In addition to the change, long-term season ticket holders already know that their tickets will become more expensive, having previously enjoyed a 50 percent discount that will now be halved. Fans will also now be required to attend a minimum of 16 of the 19 Premier League games to keep their seats, one more than previously required.
According to the Manchester Evening News , which spoke to several of the approximately 500 fans who will be affected, requests for clarification sent by many of them to the club remain unanswered.
