Amid a number of financial confessions made on Monday, Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed that ticket prices will go up next season.
The Failsworth-born billionaire sat down with club legend and fellow businessman Gary Neville for a lengthy interview on The Overlap, during which the two discussed everything from his first year in charge to Erik ten Hag, fan frustration, the Glazer family, the new stadium and more.
However, the biggest takeaway that supporters will no doubt be most concerned with is how things are going to directly impact them and their pockets, with Ratcliffe confirming that ticket prices will be going up heading into next year.
You can see how he dealt with the question by Neville down below.
Jim Ratcliffe’s full interview with Gart Neville on The Overlap.
As you can see, although he answers the questions very quickly and plainly, there’s still no indication as to what fans can expect to be paying for season tickets and single matchday admission.
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Although Ratcliffe insists they will only jump up “a little bit, yes, but not a lot”, he couldn’t clarify what that amount will be and, more importantly, it wasn’t made clear if this was an increase on the existing number or the £66 limited fee that was introduced back in November after concessions were stripped.
That being said, given the “big picture” revelations regarding the club’s finances Ratcliffe mentions throughout the rest of the interview, you would assume it will be on top of that figure.
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Undoubtedly the most alarming quote for fans to hear during the entire sit-down comes from 72-year-old disclosing that “Manchester United would have run out of money at the end of this year”, around Christmas or even November time.
Neville’s only response is to ask “Do you know how bad that is?”, assuring that he doesn’t doubt they are indeed the facts on the balance sheet given his knowledge of the club, before describing the present circumstances as “horrific.”
It is this reason, among many others related to the long-standing Glazer stewardship and what Neville labelled as nothing less than “neglect” that led United fans to hold yet another large-scale protest before the game against Arsenal on Sunday – a demonstration which saw thousands take over the streets.
Other notable comments from the discussion included Ratcliffe admitting that “mistakes” were made when it came to keeping ten Hag on after the FA Cup victory, the costly situation with Dan Ashworth – which he put down to a matter of “chemistry” – and the club’s continued issues with recruitment.
While the former right-back did credit his fellow entrepreneur for at least coming forward to do the interview and communicating these realities to the Old Trafford faithful, if you’re a Red, we’ll warn you it isn’t exactly a light-hearted listen.
Better yet, let us know your honest opinion of Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS and the decision they’ve made thus far down in the comments.
Featured Images — The Overlap (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
The 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In yet more huge sporting news for Greater Manchester, the 2027 World Climbing Series is coming to 0161 later this year.
We’ve had plenty of big peaks of late, but things seem to just keep going up and up.
Set to host the global event for the first time in our history, Manchester will welcome the World Climbing Series (WCS), which is set to include both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines ahead of the next Summer Games in 2028.
2027 will mark the 38th edition of the series, which will also be one of only a handful to be held in the North – it’s just down to our city to make it the best.
Officially announced on Friday, 16 January, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) confirmed the return to the UK.
Founded back in 1989, the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) is coming up on four decades since the competition first began – Leeds being chosen as the inaugural hosts – the event has come a long way since then.
The IFSC’s rebranding of the annual bouldering, lead and speed trials to the modern WSC, which began last year, was initially revealed back in 2023.
Welcoming continental talent right down to the youth level, the upcoming 2026 World Climbing Series is taking place in the summer and will be hosted by the city of Innsbruck in Austria.
As for the WSC’s Manchester debut, which is being organised in collaboration with the City Council, Manchester Accommodation BID, MCR Active and the National Lottery via UK Sport investment.
It’s not the only big sporting celebration that the Council will be supporting in 2027.
Paul Ratcliffe, CEO of the British Mountaineering Council, said in an official statement: “It’s exciting to be able to confirm that a World Series climbing event will return to the UK in 2027 as part of the BMC’s major event programme.
“Hosting a competition of this scale in Manchester is a strong statement about the UK’s place on the international climbing stage and a great opportunity for our athletes, fans, the climbing community and the wider public to experience the sport at the very highest level.
“Our ‘Route to Adventure’ strategy sets out how we will build on moments like this to support people into climbing and help them progress, whatever their starting point. Using major events to inspire participation, strengthen pathways and reinforce our commitment to inclusion is central to our long-term approach.”
Scheduled to take place in June, you can find out more information about the 2027 World Climbing Series in Manchester by signing up for the official event mailing list HERE.
Manchester City agree deal to sign top Premier League defender Marc Guehi
Danny Jones
It looks like they’ve finally got a done deal: Manchester City have reportedly agreed a deal for the transfer of highly sought-after defender Marc Guehi.
Man City are said to have finally reached an agreement with Crystal Palace to sign the increasingly established Three Lions star after emerging as a suitor in recent weeks.
Pep Guardiola’s pursuit of the impressive Premier League centre-back ramped up earlier this month, as it became apparent that they were hoping to hijack Liverpool’s prospective move for Guehi.
The Ivory Coast-born England international looked all set to arrive at Anfield back in the summer, but the deal never materialised, and now rivals City appear to have sealed his signature.
According to breaking transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano, Palace and Man City are said to have now reached an agreement in principle for approximately £20 million.
It’s fair to say that it’s an absolute bargain for a player of his quality.
While details surrounding contract length, wages and add-ons, etc., are yet to be fully confirmed (as is final verification as per an official announcement via his new employers), personal terms are not expected to be an issue.
On the other hand, the acquisition will also see Man City’s total spending to roughly half a billion pounds over the past year alone. Staggering sums for any sporting outfit.
Not that his former London team will mind one bit, of course, as it became increasingly clear that Guehi would be leaving eventually; manager Oliver Glasner – who also seems set to depart at the end of his contract – even addressed the sale in his most recent press conference.
You can see the clip in question down below.
''I wish him all the best for the rest of his career, he will have a great career I think''
Once again, we will have to wait for the official unveiling at the Etihad Campus, but we’d say that this interview is all the verification you need.
With Man City currently facing multiple absences, particularly in their backline with both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias out injured, Guehi’s arrival is no doubt a welcome one.
Although many debated whether or not Pep needed to sign another centre-half, especially with two promising youth players returning from loan, supporters will nevertheless be glad to have snatched him from the clutches of Liverpool.
Over in the women’s team, they’ve also brought in a new member of the squad who could help spur on their title charge.
Danny Jones -
11th March 2025 
