Latest news with #SirJimRatcliffe
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Furious Man Utd fans slam new ticket prices as ‘another slap in the face' and warn decision will do ‘enormous harm'
FURIOUS Manchester United fans condemned a new ticket-price rise as a "fresh kick in the teeth". The club have introduced a new match categorisation model, charging some members up to £97 for top fixtures - starting with the Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 17. 2 2 Around 20,000 supporters buying tickets for home matches at Old Trafford through the membership scheme will be affected in some form. Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) claim the club "failed to consult any of the fans' representative bodies on the details of the decision". However, chief executive Omar Berrada insisted they did. A MUST statement read: "After how last season went, we might have hoped that the club would reconsider their plans for this new ticketing model. "It will see eye-watering price increases for 20,000 supporters per game who buy tickets on a match-by-match basis. "This really is a fresh kick in the teeth for Manchester United fans." Supporters were already at war with the club after Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. introduced a flat-rate £66 for non-season-ticket holders, with no concessions, mid-season. Berrada admitted this week in an interview with United We Stand that the club had made a mistake. The opener with the Gunners is one of six Prem games priced between £59 and £97 for members. Fixtures against Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle are also in Category A. Paul Scholes lays into Sir Jim Ratcliffe for 'having the cheek' to introduce 'ridiculous' Man Utd's ticket prices Category B includes 11 league matches, with two games - against Wolves and Sunderland - priced in the Category C band. Cup games are in the lowest Category D band. The changes will see prices increase by up to 50 per cent for fans buying tickets on a match-by-match basis - yet United argue that the £97 applies to less than one per cent of the available tickets. MUST added: "Once again, they have failed to consult any of the fans' representative bodies on the details of the decision. "And, once again, they are making choices against the interests of fans and the club as a whole. "This match categorisation model will do enormous harm." The club insist fan groups were consulted and say ticket prices are lower than those first proposed to the Fan Advisory Board, whom Berrada claims to have engaged with heavily since the £66 decision. But another protest group, The 1958, insisted: "This is yet another slap in the face for loyal fans. "Dialogue with the club is broken, ignored or treated with contempt. 'Fans raise genuine concerns, the club responds with spin and price hikes.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Manchester United fans criticise ticket rises as ‘kick in the teeth' after worst Premier League season
A rise in ticket prices at Manchester United has been described as a 'kick in the teeth' for fans. It comes after the Red Devils finished in 15th place in the Premier League, before losing in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. United, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe recorded both their fewest Premier League points tally in a single season and their lowest finish. However, the announcement of the club's new 'match categorisation model' will lift the cheapest ticket price by over 50% for the majority of games. For around 20,000 tickets, which applies to the club's members, cup match prices will rise from £32 to £52. Premier League prices now range from £60 to £97 instead of £37 to £59, again rising after a record-breaking poor campaign. The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has called the move a 'fresh kick in the teeth', claiming that fans were not consulted about the plans. It went on to say the plans would do 'enormous harm', undermining the atmosphere at Old Trafford and pushing away regular supporters in favour of what it called occasional visitors. A spokesperson for the Trust said: 'After how last season went, we might have hoped the club would reconsider their plans for this new ticketing model which will see eye-watering price increases for 20,000 supporters per game who buy tickets on a match-by-match basis. 'When the club said they were introducing this new model for members tickets, we urged them to keep the majority of matches at current levels and only apply the highest price category for a small number of the biggest games, and reduced prices for lower demand games. 'Once again, they have failed to consult any of the fans representative bodies on the details of the decision, and once again they're making choices against the interests of fans and, we believe, the club as a whole.' Ruben Amorim will take change of his first full campaign as United boss after replacing Erik ten Hag early in the 2024/25 term, looking to rebuild the club after seasons of failings on the pitch and anger of it. The MUST statement added: 'What Manchester United needs next season is a united fanbase and club, with the team on the pitch supported by loyal and vocal fans roaring it back after the disaster that was last year. 'These ticketing decisions only push those regular supporters away in favour of occasional visitors and risk pricing out the next generation of younger fans who are the very future of the club.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Man United transfer news: Bryan Mbeumo, Viktor Gyokeres, Hugo Ekitike, Oumar Solet and more
Manchester United face a crucial summer as Ruben Amorim finally gets the chance to shape his squad and transform his failing team into contenders at the top end of the table. It shouldn't be forgotten that Amorim initially rebuffed United's approach following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, and perhaps he was wise to try and delay the move, because what followed was a disastrous campaign cuminating in the 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final. Now Amorim has a full preseason to prepare his side and a summer transfer window to mould his squad before a season without European football, and he must take full advantage. The release of the Premier League fixtures shows a difficult start for United, with an opening game agasint Arsenal and fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea within their first five matches of 2025/26, and the manager's future could be called into question early should his side struggle. United got some early business done with the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5m deal, and among interest in other targets including Bryan Mbeumo, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made clear that the money pot is not deep, so offloading high-wage players such as Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho could be key to funding the revolution. Here's everything you need to know about Manchester United's summer transfer plans. Areas to improve Perhaps it is easier to try and identify some parts of the team that don't need improvement. Three players could genuinely claim to have had decent seasons – Bruno Fernandes, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo – while Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Diogo Dalot all did OK in spells, but that is about the extent of United's reliable performers last season. Now that Matheus Cunha's arrival is secured, the top priorities are: sign a proven goalscorer, given the toils of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee up front; buy a goalkeeper to compete with (or outright replace) the error-prone Andre Onana; recruit a wing-back who can excel in Amorim's system. Done deals Ins: Matheus Cunha (Wolves, £62.5m agreed) Retained: Tom Heaton (signed new one-year deal after expiry of old contract) Outs: Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans (all out of contract) Potential targets Bryan Mbeumo, Brentford Mbeumo has emerged as United's top target at this point in the window, with the club eager to get the deal done before moving on to other signings. The 25-year-old has just enjoyed the best season of his career with 20 goals in 42 games, catching the eye of a raft of clubs in the process. United could deploy Mbeumo in one of their No 10 roles, and are said to be in the driving seat to sign the Cameroon international. However, they are facing competition from Tottenham after the London club appointed former Brentford boss Thomas Frank as their new manager. Pedro Goncalves, Sporting CP The Sporting midfielder knows Amorim well and could fit into his team as a one of the attacking No 10s. Goncalves is reported to be valued at around £70m by Sporting, but United are expected to receive at least £100m for Fernandes should their captain depart for Saudi Arabia, to help fund any bid. Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP Another Sporting player, Gyokeres was sensational under Amorim in the Portuguese league and knows the manager's tactical approach. Sporting would command a fee of at least £60m for the in-demand Swedish striker, who plundered 54 goals in all competitions this season. But Gyokeres will have his pick of clubs across Europe, with Arsenal and Italian champions Napoli both interested, and he may be put off by United's lack of European football. Hugo Ekitike, Eintracht Frankfurt 22-year-old Frankfurt forward Ekitike is repreotedly being considered by United, Liverpool and Chelsea after a season in which he scored 22 goals in all competitions. The Frenchman is seen as a quality prospect in his homeland and seems to be finding his feet at the top level after an unsuccessful spell at PSG earlier in his career. The young striker is adept at linking play and dribbling as well as finishing, and early reports suggested that Frankfurt wanted to hold out for a fee of around €100m, though subsequent reports say that the German side could be tempted into a sale around the same £60 mark that Man City paid for Omar Marmoush. United are said to have made contact with both the player's camp and Frankfurt, though nothing is seen as advanced at this stage. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Nottingham Forest Surprise reports have linked United with a move for Notingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is out of contract in 2026. The former Chelsea man is an option in both wide positons and as a wing-back, having played further back for Chelsea on occasion too. However, his club are keen to reward him with a new deal, and a move is seen as unlikely at this point. Oumar Solet, Udinese The imposing defender has been linked with a move away this summer. United may need a defensive addition with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans departing.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Man United will INCREASE general admission ticket prices next season - as Sir Jim Ratcliffe launches latest attempt to raise revenue
Manchester United are to charge up to £97 for a general admission matchday ticket next season. For the first time, the Premier League giants will introduce a 'categorisation' system for non-season ticket holders which will see games ranked by likely demand. And under the new pricing model, Category A games set to apply to the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal will see tickets offered from £59 to £97. United officials say less than one per cent of tickets sold across the season will be at the £97 mark and that they expect the average price will be £46, up £5 on last season. They also say the new prices mean United remain comparable with other Premier League clubs in the north-west and that prices are below those first proposed to fans' groups. Others in the Premier League are already in three figures, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Fulham. Concessions will return for those buying one-off tickets after they were controversially scrapped in the middle of last season. The changes are the latest attempt by the club to increase revenue following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos last January. The minority co-owner has taken control of football operations and has embarked upon two redundancy programmes following a wide-ranging review. Season ticket prices were raised by five per cent, with United seeking to strike a balance between improving revenues but keeping games accessible. The other categories are B (£57-86), C (£37-£60) and D (£32-£52). D will only apply to cup fixtures.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Which striker suits Man Utd best? One star stands out as the best transfer option for Ruben Amorim's struggling side
MANCHESTER UNITED are weak in almost every area but replacing their dismal front-line must be the biggest priority before next season. The fallen giants have the most to do this summer given the club's worst Premier League campaign on record and the humiliating defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final. 12 12 Indeed, if it gets any worsethen England 's longest footballing powerhouse will be RELEGATED in a year's time. A dismal 44 goals ensured United finished 15th in the Prem, with Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton to thank for being so poor that they occupied the bottom three spots. Unlike United of old, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. moved uncharacteristically quickly to secure Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5million within days of the window opening. But, while Cunha will automatically walk into the XI, the Brazilian does not meet their greatest need in terms of adding a recognised and dangerous centre forward to the squad. United desperately need attacking reinforcements, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee having endured a poor campaign at Old Trafford. So, Amorim's side still are being heavily linked to four forwards this summer, with the list including Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen. Here SunSport breaks down the strengths of each of these four strikers before then giving a recommendation for which player would suit United. Bryan Mbeumo But Tottenham threw a spanner in the works when Daniel Levy sacked Ange Postecoglou and replaced him with Bees boss Thomas Frank. SunSport exclusively revealed on Sunday that Tottenham are ready to hijack Man Utd's £60m Mbeumo transfer once Frank's appointment was confirmed. From a profile perspective though you can clearly see why he is of interest to United. 12 The 25-year-old is capable of playing as one of the two No 10s behind the striker under Amorim's system, or as the main striker. But Mbeumo would most likely play as the striker for Amorim. From this position his movement and pace offers consistent threat to stretch the pitch and attack space behind the defensive line. Mbeumo forces the opposition to defend deeper because he himself drops deep to win the ball, before making aggressive runs forward. The Cameroon international's movement and willingness to work to break the last line creates threat and results in chances. 12 United need to find a striker who can provide more threat in the final third. It is fair to say that neither of their current options Hojlund or Zirkzee have proven themselves to be the answer in the position. Mbuemo also finds space between centre-backs and his deep runs allow Brentford midfielders to get on the ball in dangerous positions. 12 Mbuemo is similar to Cunha in that he is proven in the Premier League, after ending last season with 20 goals and eight assists in 38 games for Brentford. There is little doubt that he would come in immediately and make a significant impact for United. Hugo Ekitike The Red Devils were a surprise entry in the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. The Frenchman, who joined the Bundesliga side from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 33 league matches this term. Ekitike in terms of his profile is the closest thing in European football at the moment to Alexander Isak of Newcastle. With Eddie Howe making it clear that the Toon aren't open to selling Isak, there is a sense that Ekitike would represent a younger player with a similar style of play and perhaps even more upside. He is similar to Mbeumo in that he will make aggressive and intelligent runs but arguably his link play in the midfield is better. 12 Ekitike is less reliant on long straight runs than Mbuemo as he makes intelligent movements off the ball to arrive with good timing around the area. While Ekitike does have the pace and power to stretch the pitch, he likes to come in to combine deeper before attacking space around the edges of the opposition area. When compared to Mbeumo he is more technical if slightly less explosive but at just 22 years old he has levels still to improve. Of the four strikers that United are being linked to at the moment there is a real argument that Ekitike has the highest ceiling and the most potential to kick on and reach greater heights. He could well score 25 goals a season consistently from this point on. Viktor Gyokeres It's largely forgotten for the most part now but Viktor Gyokeres boasts the most experience in English football, having played for both Brighton and Coventry City. But it's fair to say though that the Swede's move to Portugal with Sporting CP has really seen his career take off. The Arsenal target also enjoyed a close relationship to United boss Amorim, with 40-year-old helping him turn into one of the most prolific No.9's in Europe. Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 games last season, is a striker with a different profile to both Mbuemo and Ekitike. He is most effective when playing high and positioned around the edges of the opposition area or even slightly deeper. While the two strikers that we have covered above rely more on movement to create separation and chances for themselves, the Sweden international has more power and athleticism to his game. 12 While Mbuemo and Ekitike create space for team-mates through their movement to break the last line, Gyokeres is usually positioned high early and uses his power to force the opposition to inside the box. Gyokeres has dominated the Portuguese league, and while defenders in the Prem are more physical, he still would offer United the ability to create chances for himself in isolated 1v1 situations. 12 Gyokeres is a different profile to both Mbuemo and Ekitike but he would provide United with an effective target man type that they could play into early as they move into the attacking phase. Despite United's interest, Arsenal remain favourites to nab him, with new director of football Andrea Berta a big fan from his days at Atletico Madrid. Victor Osimhen The final striker on our list is Victor Osimhen who has just returned to Napoli having spent last season in the Turkish top-flight with Galatasaray. Osimhen has been heavily linked to a move to several teams in the Saudi Pro League, but he is thought to be giving priority to a move to stay in Europe. The 26-year-old has the physical and technical level to continue to play at a high level and to be an effective striker in the Prem. He is similar to Gyokeres in that he wants to position himself on the highest line and give his team a focal point to their attack. He can finish with real power and his aerial threat would be effective for a team like United who work the ball into crossing situations. 12 Osimhen is far more than just a goalscorer although he finished last season with 26 goals and 5 assists in 30 league games. He works hard for his team out of possession and he will play and link in with team-mates around the final third before looking to create shooting opportunities for himself. 12 Osimhen also provides strength to play when he is isolated against more than one defender on the highest line with no direct support He has the power, energy and technical level to play in a team where he is isolated as the highest striker with movement and support coming from deeper. Conclusion Of the four strikers discussed we believe that there are two who should be clear as top options for United. Mbuemo has the vital experience in the Prem and the capacity to provide the consistent vertical movements that United are currently missing. While, Osimhen represents the best true forward on the market with an opportunity to sign him as he enters his peak years. Osimhen this summer.
