Manchester United have attempted to shift blame onto season ticket holders for the vast number of Galatasaray fans that occupied the home areas of Old Trafford on Tuesday, as per BBC Sport.
Pictures and videos emerged on social media following the Reds’ 3-2 Champions League defeat that showed the Turkish side’s supporters celebrating the game outside of the away block.
The state of Old Trafford at full time, Galatasaray fans in all areas of the ground is unacceptable @ManUtd. We really are at rock bottom as a club. pic.twitter.com/fSvLWXYsxk
— jack (@Jack_H_20) October 3, 2023
Galatasaray had initially been allocated under 2,000 tickets but fans were able to purchase seats across the stadium, despite the club attempting to ban those trying to buy tickets with a Turkish address. This, evidently, was easily surpassed due to the scale of UK-based buyers.
As well as that, United believe that season ticket holders had forwarded/touted their seats, which no one in their right mind would do for any fixture – let alone a European one, and certainly not those that commit their time and money to the club week in, week out.
The incident is being investigated after uproar from the fanbase, with many match-goers left in disbelief over the sheer safety risk it caused.
United touting their own tickets
One quick look at the ticketing website shows that for the upcoming Champions League clash on October 24 vs Copenhagen, ‘hospitality’ seats are being sold for £175, and an official membership is not needed to book your place.
The price at the top of the East Stand is usually no more than £49 for an adult but the amount is being ramped up by access to the club museum post-match, despite the fact the game will finish at around 10pm. A tour of the museum usually costs around £36. Work that one out.
So @ManUtd are briefing to the press that it is season ticket holders selling on to Galatasaray fans that saw hundreds of their fans pocketed around Old Trafford?
Right now, the club directly is touting tickets to Copenhagen for £175. The perk? Access to the museum… pic.twitter.com/dW90TfGTPE
— United Peoples TV (@UnitedPeoplesTV) October 5, 2023
As long as transactions are completed and the money is paid, United couldn’t care less who ends up in that stadium.
