Manchester United release statement after club legend Norman Whiteside impacted by ticket change

Manchester United have released a statement after club legend Norman Whiteside was impacted by a new club decision on season tickets.

Whiteside, 58, is not the only person to be impacted by these changes to relocate their season ticket seats at Old Trafford.

The former midfielder joined United as a teenager in 1978 and would go onto score 67 goals for the club, with one of those providing the difference in the FA Cup final in 1985.

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After 274 appearances, Whiteside left the club for Everton but would retire just two years later in 1991 due to injuries sustained across his career.

The United great is a platinum season ticket holder, meaning that he’s held the ticket for over 25 years, in block S122 at Old Trafford. However, he is now facing the likelihood of being moved elsewhere in the stadium.

Whiteside’s wife, Dee, took to social media to complain about the prospective change.

“So, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a loyal supporter, doesn’t matter if you played for your club, United can just dump you from your seat when they feel like it, so they can expand exec seating. Absolute disgrace.”

She continued: “I’d like to make clear that this post is not just about Norman. There are a whole block of loyal supporters who expressed their views to me at the West Ham game, but they feel as if they have no voice or platform to voice their anger.

“It’s not just about Norman, many of the ‘United family’ we sit with have been in that block for 20-30+ years, and are all really angry about this ENFORCED seat relocation. At a time when the football has been less than spectacular and the season ticket price is increasing.”

When contacted by the Manchester Evening News for comment on the situation, a spokesman for the club explained the reasoning for the changes.

“We have the greatest respect for Norman as a legend of the club, and understand the disappointment caused to him and other season ticket-holders by seat relocations,” the statement began.

“There are various reasons why this happens, including, next season, the moving of matchday hospitality seats into consolidated blocks to address fan concerns about them being dispersed around the stadium.

“Other changes next season include the removal of hospitality seating from the Stretford End and installation of further rail seating in the North-West Quadrant, bringing benefits to many fans but also causing some disruption.

“No additional hospitality seats are being created at the expense of season ticket-holders — in fact hospitality seating will reduce by more than 500 next season. We are committed to working with all season ticket-holders affected by relocations, including Norman, to find them the best possible alternative seats elsewhere in the ground.”