Manchester United change season ticket policy after consulation with fans

Manchester United will allow season ticket holders to opt-out of cup competitions next season.

United supporters have been pushing for the club to allow cup games to be optional with season tickets for several years, with the club making them compulsory in 2007, and after consultation with the fans' forum and the new Fans' Advisory Board (FAB), the change will be implemented for next season.

The change in policy is the first significant outcome of United's promise to strengthen engagement with fans made a year ago, in the wake of the European Super League protests.

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The FAB has met twice since its launch in January, with Joel Glazer attending both meetings via video link.

Under current rules, season ticket holders are guaranteed their seats for all 19 Premier League home games and are obliged to buy all FA Cup and UEFA competition home games.

Under the new rules to be introduced for the 2022/23 season, fans will have the choice of a Premier League-only season ticket, with the option to add FA Cup, Carabao Cup and European tickets on a competition-by-competition basis.

Season ticket holders who opt out of a competition will be able to apply for cup tickets on a match-by-match basis, subject to availability, alongside official members.

A cup season ticket will also be introduced for the first time, guaranteeing access to all cup games at Old Trafford for official members.

A Manchester United Supporters' Trust spokesman said: "The ACS [auto cup scheme] was introduced initially as a convenient option for supporters who wanted to purchase every cup match, to save administration hassle.

"The club making this compulsory in the summer of 2007 caused widespread resentment