Manchester United ticket prices to remain 'fair' for fans, insists Ed Woodward

Ed Woodward has indicated Manchester United fans will not be left paying the price for the coronavirus pandemic.

The club’s executive vice chairman moved to assure supporters that ticket prices would remain ‘fair’ despite the financial impact of football being ground to a halt.

United announced a freeze on season ticket prices for an eighth successive year just before the Premier League season was suspended due to Covid-19.

Fans have since been guaranteed refunds or rebates on any games cancelled or forced to be played behind closed doors.

And Woodward – who has predicted a significant restriction on spending in the transfer market this summer – has responded to supporters seeking assurances the cost of the outbreak would not be passed on to them.

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“Our aim is always to be fair and competitive in our ticket pricing and that won’t change,” he said. “We are acutely aware of the financial pressure on many of our fans and will keep that firmly in mind as we go forward.”

Woodward has also given some insight into the Premier League’s attempts to resume the season – admitting behind closed doors games are likely in order to complete the campaign with minimum risk.

“I think we all agree that we want supporters back watching football at Old Trafford as soon as possible,” he told a fan forum. “That can only happen when we are advised it is safe to do so, and clearly the Government has a major say in that.

“No decisions have been made yet, but we think it is possible that the initial games, particularly the ones related to finishing or trying to complete this season, will probably have to be played behind closed doors - but that isn’t confirmed yet.

“We’re not necessarily happy about that. Clearly football requires our fans in the stadium for it to be complete, but public health must come first – and as I said, this is down to the Government.

“It’s important to get back to playing football and complete this season once it’s safe to do so. We are starting to see some other countries make positive steps in this direction such as Germany.

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“From a UK perspective there is still huge uncertainty, so we will keep fans informed as soon as decisions are made.”

Woodward was asked if it was possible Premier League games would be played abroad and added: “I’ve not heard anything on that and I would expect our remaining domestic games to be played in England.”

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