Manchester United’s recent approach to tackling touting at Old Trafford has led to strong condemnation from fan groups, after genuine supporters faced bans after renewing their season tickets ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Manchester United faces heavy criticism over its anti-touting crackdown after thousands of fans received account suspensions and ticket cancellation notices.
Some cases have been overturned, while others were rejected and will need to go to the appeals panel.
Given the scale of the issue, and another wave of bans expected to follow, the appeals process could take a long time – especially with United’s staff cutbacks in recent years.
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Man Utd fan groups unite against ticket ban threats
Manchester United supporter groups are calling on the club to end the suspension of season tickets in an attempt to crack down on touts that have caught many loyal fans in the crossfire.
This means thousands of United fans have lost their season tickets for the foreseeable future. Many of whom follow the Reds home and away, including trips across Europe.
The email sent to those affected asked fans to confirm every device they regularly use to access their account, which is a complete intrusion.
Unsurprisingly, this has led to an unprecedented unification of fan groups, including the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST), The Red Army, Manchester United Youth Supporters Club, The 1958, all fans’ forum representatives, more than 100 official supporters’ clubs and fanzines Red news and United We Stand.
The statement read: “Many attempts have been made in recent years to bring together influential supporter groups that can prioritise the often underrepresented voice of Manchester United’s match-going supporters.
“The recent actions of Manchester United have finally achieved what those efforts could not: a unanimous, historic and unprecedented unification of MUST, TRA, Manchester United Youth Supporters Club, The 1958, all Fans’ Forum representatives, more than 100 Official Supporters’ clubs, Red News and United We Stand.
“Earlier today, a message was sent to Manchester United emphasising full support for the Fans’ Forum’s recent letter relating to the premature suspension of Season Ticket Holders without required evidence.
“In summary, we have reiterated the demands made by the FF (detailed below):
- Immediately halt the ongoing suspension process.
- Immediately retract all unproven suspensions.
- Confirm the current number of Season Tickets.
- Explain its apparent policy of reducing the number of Season Tickets.
- Confirm that all reclaimed Season Tickets are reissued as Season Tickets to supporters on the Season Ticket waiting list.
“Once an official written response has been received from Manchester United, it will be shared in the interests of transparency and fairness. The potential consequences of the Club’s response will also be shared as soon as they have been confirmed.”
The pressure is on United to respond, but fan groups deserve massive credit for calling them out. Nothing changes if fans sit back and let the club take them for a ride.
United’s latest banning spree has made for an anxious build-up to the new season, with thousands of fans unsure if they will be impacted next.
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United seem comfortable alienating their most loyal supporters – a risky strategy ahead of building a 100,000-capacity stadium.
Those long-standing fans are crucial to creating the match-day atmosphere that draws visitors from all over the world. Stripping away that hardcore fanbase strips the entire project of its appeal.
The fan groups in question will be waiting impatiently for a response as well as answers to the questions raised in the statement.
United fans deserve better.
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