Man United INCREASE season ticket prices for first time in 11 seasons

Manchester United are raising their season ticket prices for the first time in 11 years.

In an email sent to season ticket holders on Monday, seen by Sportsmail, United revealed a five per cent increase heading into the 2023-24 season.

United committed to a price freeze for the past 11 seasons but have now defrosted that amid 'challenging' match day cost hikes.

They explain that over the past five years matchday costs have soared by 40 per cent and 11 per cent in the past 12 months alone.

United fans have been left bemused by the price hike by the current owners - the Glazer family - while a takeover process for the club is ongoing, with a Qatari bid and a rival bid from Sir Jim Ratcliffe both leading contenders.

'We know fans are facing a tough time too with the increased cost of living, so it is important to us that we don't just pass that increase directly on to you,' United wrote.

'We are covering as much of the cost as possible and keeping the increase to Season Ticket prices to an absolute minimum.'

Season ticket prices are being raised by five per cent per match, which, depending on the price of a ticket, could see rises of £1 or £2 a ticket per game.

United say they are covering more than 50 per cent of the inflationary cost of the ticket.

'The modest increase in price for the 2023-24 season is necessary to allow the club to operate on a sustainable basis,' a statement on the club's website read.

One of the biggest frustrations for United fans who hold season tickets is the minimum attendance requirement to keep their seat.

It was introduced as a trial last season - something United describe as 'successful' - with a 50 per cent attendance required and as part of this overhaul for 2023-24 that is now being raised to 75 per cent.

United want to avoid empty seats at Old Trafford which is a driving force behind the policy - but the 25 per cent hike has been queried by some fans.

Attendance does however include season ticket holders cancelling, donating or forwarding to a member for a Premier League game, which reduces the onus of attending in-person.

Season ticket holders over the age of 65 will also see the requirement to personally attend 50 per cent of home matches scrapped.

United are also removing a £20 cap on Over 65 tickets but say they will limit any increase to £3 per game per season.

Earlier this month league leaders Arsenal also confirmed that they would be raising their season ticket prices by five per cent from next season.