Manchester United are facing a backlash from some of their most long-standing supporters after restricting hundreds of season-ticket accounts in a drive to clamp down on suspected ticket touting before the new Premier League campaign.
The move, introduced as the club steps up efforts to identify alleged resellers and those deemed to be breaching ticket terms and conditions, has left affected fans fearing their season tickets could be cancelled before the 2024‐25 season kicks off in August.
Several supporters told BBC Sport that those targeted include some of the club’s most loyal match-goers, insisting the vast majority have done nothing wrong and are being unfairly treated.
United declined to comment on the process or on the reaction from fans when approached by BBC Sport.
‘It could make my dad ill’
Andy, a season-ticket holder for more than 35 years, said he was notified on Monday night that his account had been restricted.
“I’m angry about it – they just want us gone,” he said.
“كان والدي حاملا لتذكرة موسمية منذ عام 1974، عندما كنا في الدرجة الثانية. وهو الان متقاعد، وعلي مساعدته في كل الامور المتعلقة بالانترنت منذ ان اصبحت التذاكر الرقمية متاحة”.
وتابع: “الذهاب الى المباراة هو رابطنا. اشياء كهذه هي ما تبقي كبار السن على قيد الحياة احيانا”.
واكمل: “انه امر مرهق بما فيه الكفاية لصحة عقلي، لكنني اعتقد انه قد يمرض والدي ايضا”
Andy says the club has already taken payment for his season ticket for next season, yet he is now blocked from buying or transferring tickets via his online account.
يقول اندي: “لقد اخذوا بالفعل اموال تذكرة الموسم الخاصة بي”.
واكمل: “انهم لا يكترثون بكيفية تاثير ذلك على الناس، وعلاقاتهم، وربما صحتهم وصحتهم النفسية. لا يوجد اي تعاطف”.
واتم: “اشعر وكان الناس يعاقبون على ولايهم. انهم لا يريدون معجبين، بل يريدون زباين”.
Accounts frozen while fans told to ‘explain’ activity
In emails seen by BBC Sport, Manchester United wrote to some supporters to say: “لقد حددنا انماطا مرتبطة بحساب التذاكر الخاص بك والتي نحتاج الى فهمها بشكل اوضح”.
واضاف: “نحن بحاجة الى تحديد ما اذا كان هناك تفسير مباشر للنشاط الذي تم تحديده”.
Pending that explanation, the club has placed restrictions on the digital accounts of those it considers to be of concern, preventing affected supporters from purchasing tickets or transferring them to others.
Those contacted have been told to submit evidence to the club to defend themselves if they believe they have been wrongly accused. However, some fans say they have not been clearly informed what specific breaches they are alleged to have committed.
They argue that the lack of detail makes them feel as if they are being pushed into incriminating themselves and say the uncertainty is causing significant anxiety.
United have not yet cancelled any season tickets. Each case is due to be reviewed by an appeals panel, with final decisions expected before the Premier League season begins next month.
Digital ticketing and stricter rules
Traditional paper season tickets have been phased out across the Premier League, with clubs switching to digital systems that allow entry via mobile phones. That shift has generally been accompanied by tighter controls on how often and to whom tickets can be passed on.
At Manchester United, terms and conditions state that season tickets may be revoked if holders neither attend nor legally transfer their tickets to approved friends and family for at least 16 of the 19 Premier League home matches.
Last season, the club also moved around 500 season-ticket holders from seats they had occupied for years to create more room for hospitality packages at Old Trafford.
Since the partial takeover by Ineos in 2024, United have made wide-ranging cuts to their workforce, including staff in the ticketing department, at a time when enforcement of ticket rules and digital monitoring of accounts has intensified.
Some long-term supporters now fear that, under stricter commercial and operational policies, their loyalty is being undervalued just as the club seeks to overhaul both its business model and on‐field fortunes.
