16/08/2025
A new season and let’s hope a new start ...
A new season and let’s hope a new start - and fans voices needed more than ever
Here we go again.
A new season and - please pray to Eric - a new start, after the horror show of last season ending in that diabolical evening in Bilbao (about which we can all agree to never speak of again).
And whilst there is some cautious optimism following activity in the transfer market over the summer, there have been other things coming out of the Club which illustrate that the need for fan activism is as great as ever.
One concept that has raised its ugly head since the end of last season was Personal Seat Licences (PSL) – the idea that you pay a lump sum just for the right to buy your season ticket every year. These were raised by the Club in recent consultation sessions as a possible way to fund a new stadium. The club insists it was only one idea among many, and not a formal proposal. Those who have been with MUST for 20+ years may remember this was one of the dangers of the then-proposed Glazer takeover which we flagged up in 2004, as they had implemented PSLs at their NFL Franchise, and even sued fans who did not renew their “Season Tickets”!
There is no confirmation PSLs are planned currently but the fact that it was even floated is a worrying sign of where the thinking is. Football is becoming ever more commercial, global, and removed from its roots. For years, we’ve said: if club owners want fans to invest, offer them shares, not fees with little or nothing in return.
PSLs are a reminder that whilst we’ve been here before - we stopped the Murdoch takeover, we’ve battled the Glazers for two decades - the biggest fight may still be ahead.
Protest will always have its place, and we respect those who picked up the baton from us and are now leading that charge. But protest alone isn’t enough. Engagement and dialogue matters. It takes time, yes – often frustrating – but with determination and persistence it works.
That said, with INEOS and new faces at the top, we’re back to square one in some areas. That’s tough, but we won’t give up and walk away. This coming season, just like every season for nearly 30 years, we’ll keep doing our job. Keep representing fans. Keep arguing our cause. Keep fighting dangerous nonsense like PSLs. However it is worth reminding everyone - our efforts as MUST are the sum of the efforts of all of our members, so we need you to help by bringing in new members to strengthen and rejuvenate the organisation and increase our ability to influence club decisions. So please take a minute this weekend to get another fan to sign up as a free Lite member here:
www.imust.org.uk/free
PS - If you want to read our views on PSLs in even more detail, and how fans must unite to fight the growing threats we face from modern football, please support one of our great fanzines and buy the latest United We Stand, where we have an article talking about this in more detail.
Hearing from all voices
The best way to push for sensible policies is to ensure fans’ views are reflected in everything the Club does. It’s the core of our manifesto, and it is how we operate in everything we do.
To this end we’re redoubling our efforts to consult with fans, both online and in-person, and to reflect fans’ views to the Club. From regular surveys and polls to in-person events, we will be seeking to maximise the input we provide to the United hierarchy, directly and through bodies like the Fan Advisory Board and Fans Forum. Some people think that if you scan social media you can get the views of Reds but we all know that’s rubbish, and proper dialogue with supporters, Season Ticket holders and matchgoers, and our 100k+ membership are needed. So standby for more opportunities to share your views.
The first opportunity to do this in person will be this Sunday! This season you’ll see a very different looking “MUST House” on Sir Matt Busby Way which we hope will be much more welcoming to members on matchdays. Come and chat to us - ask on the stall if you don’t see anyone you recognise. Come have a look against Arsenal - we’ll “see you out there”...
As ever, the most important thing fans’ can do to have their say, and strengthen our collective voice, is to join us. Please get one friend to sign up as a free Lite member this weekend. The more members we have, the stronger our influence. Any fan who believes in preserving fan culture, enhancing atmosphere and looking after the best interests of our football club should be a member too. Let’s make the fan's voice even louder.
Lastly please log in to your account and under MY ACCOUNT > MY PROFILE click the EDIT PROFILE button to fill in/update your details - especially if you are a Season Ticket Holder or Official Member
If you have a query which requires a response please log in to your account and submit a ticket via the website help desk.