Champions, but...

... all is not well at Old Trafford.

ARTICLE #1

David Conn's excellent article
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/05/16/the_borrowers_make_united_fans.html
The Guardian
David Conn
May 16, 2007

The borrowers make United fans pay for success

Man Utd fans will be counting the cost of the Glazer takeover next season, with ticket prices increasing by 14% to service the club's debts.

ARTICLE #2
Stuart Brennan's highlight piece in the Manchester Evening News

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1006/1006992_the_price_isnt_right_for_reds.html

Manchester Evening News
Stuart Brennan
15/ 5/2007

The price isn't right for Reds


MANCHESTER United's ticket price increases are more than FOUR TIMES bigger than the club originally intended, according to documents leaked to the Manchester Evening News.

And the fact that the Glazer family has ripped up its initial plan to peg back prices this summer has been slammed as a cynical attempt to cash in on the club's success this season.

The documents also indicate that this year's whopping increases will not be the last, as the club has stated that it intends to `maximise revenue generated through ticket prices and enhanced stadium facility.'

That indicates that prices will continue to rise until empty seats begin to appear at Old Trafford.

ARTICLE #3
Tim Heming's piece in The Sun

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2005300000-2007220330,00.html

Stick Your Season Tickets

By TIM HEMING
Sun Money
May 15, 2007

PREMIERSHIP attendances for next season are set to plummet as fans launch a backlash on greedy clubs.

Almost a quarter of season ticket holders won't be renewing for the 2007-08 campaign as the spiralling costs price thousands out of the game.

The number unable to afford match days has risen by five per cent from this time last year, with the Premier League money machines face criticism for abandoning their loyal grassroots fans.

Fans revolt:
The top five sets who say 'stick your season ticket'

Not renewing due to Cost and/or Quality of Football…

1 West Ham United
Cost = 28%
Football quality = 7%
Total = 35%

2 Manchester United
Cost = 24%
Football Quality = 0%
Total = 24%

3 Liverpool
Cost = 22%
Football Quality = 0%
Total = 22%

4 Middlesbrough
Cost = 21%
Football Quality = 3%
Total = 24%

5 Newcastle United
Cost = 19%
Football Quality = 10%
Total = 29%