Manchester United have explained why there has been a substantial increase in prices at Old Trafford for the new season, including a huge hike in the cost of beer.
Fans discovered the painful new prices on Saturday as the Red Devils hosted Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly, which finished 1-1.
Lager drinkers were hit in the pocket as a pint of Madri costs 51 per cent more than it did last season, while a 500ml bottle of Carling has increased by 30 per cent.
That means the pint of Madri is now £5.75, up from £3.80, and the bottle of Carling is £4.95, when it was also £3.80 last season.
The club has defended the move, saying they had discounted beer prices for the last two seasons, a trial which has now come to an end.
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Not only that, but operating costs and the cost of produce has increased significantly, meaning they felt forced into a price increase.
In response to the Manchester Evening News, a club statement read: ‘For the last two seasons, we have trialled discounting beer following fan feedback.
‘Unfortunately, this has coincided with high increases in food & beverage (25-30%) in the last three years since kiosk prices were last reviewed holistically.
‘To reflect the increase in operating costs, and the rising cost of produce, for the 2025/26 campaign we will not be able to continue offering this discount and therefore some kiosk prices will increase.
‘Most notably, bottled Carling (500ml) will increase from £3.80 to £4.95 (which remains cheaper than 3 years ago), and a pint of Madri will increase from £3.80 to £5.75.
‘Although this is an increase on previous seasons, it still means a pint of beer is beneath the £6 average in the Premier League, and well beneath the average cost of a pint of beer at five local pubs to Old Trafford used by fans on match day (£6.29).
‘Based on prices known publicly, the revised pricing means Old Trafford will serve the 9th cheapest pint in the Premier League.
‘Meal deals remain available, and fans can pick up three items for £10.70 (£1 increase on 2024/25) and six items for £20 (£2.80 increase on 2024/25) offering good value for money (meal deals include 1 hot food item, typically grill-type e.g. pie or hot dog, 1 drink e.g. beer, wine, or soft drink, 1 snack e.g. chips/crisps or confectionery).’
There is already unrest among Manchester United fans over the way the club is run by owners the Glazer family and minority owner Jim Ratcliffe.
An increase in ticket prices last season led to protests and supporter group The 1958 has confirmed there will be another protest as United face Arsenal in their Premier League opener on Sunday.
A spokesman for The 1958 said: ‘It’s a new season but the same old ownership issues. Twenty years of the Glazers and their debt mountain is 20 years too long. Enough is enough.
‘We won’t allow some natural optimism and a couple of shiny new signings to deflect from the bigger off-field picture.
‘Jim Ratcliffe chose to get into bed with the Glazers and, in our opinion, is helping keep them in charge.
‘We protest not just against the Glazers, but now also against Jim Ratcliffe – a man once seen by many, including ourselves, as a possible saviour, a beacon of hope but now revealed as complicit in the ongoing erosion of everything that makes our club what it is.
‘This is no longer just about ownership; this is about survival – the survival of our identity, our community, and our values.’