UNITED FANS IN FANCY DRESS?

Last updated : 11 April 2006 By Ed

IMUSA's Mark Longden reacts to price hikes:

"Traditionally, there are three reasons for having a season ticket at Manchester United.

"You were guaranteed to see every home game, you could apply for tickets to away games and you could get a cup final ticket.

"But the capacity has expanded so much United are pleading with people to buy season tickets now. There are so many, you would only have a one-in-two chance of getting a final ticket and less than a one-in-19 chance of getting into an away game.

"When you add in the amount of games that get switched, even the hardcore fan is going to think twice about spending £35 to go watch Birmingham at 5.15pm on a Saturday evening.

"It is far easier - and cheaper - to go and watch the game on TV in a pub somewhere, where, it has to be said, the atmosphere is often better as well.

"The more prices go up, the more people fall off the edge and, without a doubt, there will be empty seats for league games at Old Trafford next season."