Football
‘They Don’t Care’ – Manchester United Icon Paul Scholes Slams Sir Jim Ratcliffe & INEOS for Raising Ticket Prices Amid Lacklustre Campaign
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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has blasted Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS for raising ticket prices despite United’s lacklustre showings this season. Scholes believes that by substantially raising ticket prices, Ratcliffe and Co. have shown that they do not care about fans.
In December 2023, Ratcliffe-led INEOS purchased a minority stake in Manchester United for a whopping £1.3 billion. INEOS has since been in charge of all things football at Manchester United.
After the Glazers relinquished control of the football department, fans expected a swift turnaround under boyhood Manchester United er Ratcliffe. However, that has not been the case.
The Red Devils are enduring one of their worst-ever campaigns, toiling in 13th place in the rankings after 20 rounds of fixtures. They are also in a tough spot in the Europa League, will face Arsenal in the FA Cup Third Round, and have already exited the EFL Cup after losing 4-3 to Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals.
Adding insult to injury, United substantially increased ticket prices in November. After the revision, base tickets are going for £66, with the cost for children’s tickets almost tripling.
Paul Scholes: Sir Jim Ratcliff and INEOS Do Not Care About Manchester United Fans
Speaking on The Overlap podcast, 11-time Premier League winner Scholes heavily criticized United’s decision to raise ticket prices.
“I can’t think of something positive that they’ve [Ratcliffe and INEOS] done for the football club,” said Scholes.
“Things are getting worse on the football pitch so couldn’t they have just said that they’d do cheaper tickets – couldn’t they just give us something positive? How can you ask Manchester United fans to pay more money with what’s on the football pitch.”
He added:
“£66 for a ticket is ridiculous. If you think of Manchester, there are so many deprived areas and Sir Jim Ratcliffe himself is from Failsworth, which is a deprived area. If you take one kid with you, that’s £120, if you take a family, you’re looking at £300-400 – it’s not right.
“Where do these owners get the front to put ticket prices up? For the value, we’re probably having our worst-ever Premier League season and they’ve got the cheek to put the prices up. There is nothing positive happening with that football club. The team look bang average. They’re not doing anything for fans.”
Scholes concluded by adding:
“If we’ve got Sir Jim Ratcliffe, compared to all these American owners, who’s been a United fan since growing up in an area in Manchester, he’s still hiking prices up. It just shows that they don’t care.”
Manchester United will return to action with the FA Cup Third Round clash with Arsenal on 12th January.