Fans' fury as Glazer ups prices

Manchester United supporters reacted with fury today to claims that Malcolm Glazer is planning to raise ticket prices by 54 per cent over the next five years.

Leaked documents purport to outline the American sports tycoon's plans to boost United's revenues from £161.5million this year to £246m in 2010.

Leading fans' group Shareholders United have reacted with dismay at the first reported financial moves of Glazer following his successful takeover bid.

The plans are said to include:

Ticket prices to rise 54 per cent over the next five years, with Champions League tickets going up by up to 25 per cent from next season.

Manchester United to play a showcase match in Tampa, Florida, each year, raising £2m in revenue.

Transfer budget of £25m per season for the next five years, excluding any added revenue from player sales. Also, an added £25m to spend over the entire five-year period.

Matchday turnover projected to rise by 61 per cent, a 13 per cent increase in media turnover and a 76 per cent increase in merchandising revenue.

Shirt sponsorship revenue projected to be worth £10.8m a season by 2010.

Turnover to increase to £246m by 2010.

The Shareholders chairman, Nick Towle, immediately hit out at the plans, saying: "People are so disillusioned with the massive increases they are being asked to pay, it will just turn more and more fans off. And how is he [Glazer] going to fill an expanded stadium when people are leaving in droves. It's very bad for his business plan."