13/06/2026
MUST END OF SEASON REPORT 2025/26
This is the email newsletter sent to members on 12th June 2026. If you are not a member you can sign up (Free Lite or Paid Full Member) here: imust.org.uk/join
With another season behind us and the World Cup getting underway it's time to report back to you on some of the things MUST has been up to during the season just gone.
Whether you attend every match, follow United from overseas, watch from home, or simply care deeply about the future of our club, your membership helps ensure supporters continue to have an independent and democratic voice.
Much like for the team on the field, it's been a year of progress off it, and we’re pleased to share with you some of the highlights of our work.
Looking ahead, the coming year could be one of the most important in the Trust's history. Discussions around the future stadium project, ticketing, supporter consultation, ownership issues and the long-term direction of Manchester United mean that supporter voices will matter more than ever. We will continue to ensure those voices are heard.
Dialogue delivers
If there is one theme that runs through this year's review, it is that dialogue delivers.
Working with the Club day-to-day to represent supporters' interests is not always glamorous and we cannot pretend that we always get the outcome we want. There are occasions when we strongly disagree with decisions that are taken. However, our experience continues to show that constructive engagement delivers better outcomes than having no seat at the table at all.
We are proud of the progress made this season, while recognising that there is still much more to do.
Working with FAB, Fans’ Forum and direct MUST dialogue we have seen progress - a few examples below:
- Stopping any new further restrictions on season ticket holders or forwarding
- Securing a commitment from the Club that Euro away collections will return next season
- Getting Club agreement to reinstate the publication of ticket application data for each match, starting next season
- Securing improvements to turnstile operations which meant that the horrendous queues we saw early in the season were significantly improved albeit there are still problems at some turnstiles in particular
- Securing a consultation regarding Alcohol in the Bowl pilot for league games in the Women's Super League
- Getting the Club to trial extending discounted kiosk prices up to 30 minutes before kick-off
- Challenging repeated fixture changes (esp. Monday nights) in the press and in meetings with both MUFC CEO and Premier League CEO
Standing up for our fans, always
Much of MUST's most important work happens behind the scenes.
Throughout the year through our ISLO service we have advised and represented supporters facing ticketing disputes, sanctions, police action, travel issues and disciplinary investigations. Respecting confidentiality we don't discuss the details of individual cases publicly, but we continue to do our best to ensure that supporters are treated fairly and that their voices are heard when decisions affecting them are made. We’ve helped many fans get their bans overturned and season tickets back as well as assisting those facing bereavement and the loss of a treasured family member’s season ticket.
We have also lobbied for a complete review of the sanctions and appeals system as well as the bereavement policy - both of which are underway with the club.
Whether supporting an individual supporter or challenging policies that affect thousands, our role remains the same: standing up for Manchester United fans whenever they need an independent voice.
Working with other fans groups
Fans will always achieve more than when we act together and we know better than anyone the value of being United.
This year we agreed a Unity Charter with the 1958 which reflects the fact that whilst our tactics might sometimes differ, our ultimate goal is the same. We all want a better United which puts fans at its heart and we work in that spirit in the interests of all fans.
We also work with the Football Supporters Association on a national basis, a relationship that consistently delivers and most recently secured a 2 year extension of the £30 away ticket pricing policy for Premier League matches. When we first campaigned for this, just as with safe standing, we were told we were wasting our time and it would never happen. We estimate this initiative alone has saved travelling Manchester United fans a figure approaching £10 million to date! And some ill informed critics still say “What has MUST ever done for our fans?”
MUST Board and Committee
Over recent years our board and committee has been transformed and the last year has been no different with some brilliant additions adding incredible experience and expertise to an already strong team. We welcome Steve Pember, Steve Hayward-Jones, Tony Veverka,
Dave Field, James Pavasovic
Supporting our community
Supporters have always been at the heart of what MUST does, both inside and outside football.
This season MUST members, volunteers and supporters have continued to support local foodbank collections and a range of charitable and community initiatives.
Funds raised through our prize draws as well as our shop, stall and events have raised many thousands of pounds supporting so many great causes including Manchester South Central Foodbank, Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation, the TRA Stretford End Banners Fund and The Association of Former Manchester United Players amongst the main beneficiaries.
Our annual MUST/MUSC Dinner was once again a tremendous success, raising valuable funds for AFMUP and helping preserve the history and heritage of Manchester United through support for former players. Thanks to the volunteers who made this event possible and all the branches and individual members who supported it.
We will be following up with a dedicated fundraising report shortly detailing the incredible efforts by you, our members. Give yourselves a round of applause!
MUST proposes FA Youth Cup rule changes
One issue that generated considerable supporter frustration this season was the staging of the FA Youth Cup Final.
Our neighbours at City refused all efforts to provide a fitting stadium to host the final and give the young players a special experience and our fans the chance to support them. Ultimately City staged it at their 6500 capacity academy stadium and even then they could not fill their own seats while our own paltry allocation of just over 1000 was sold out within five minutes. Hard not to conclude the reason for this decision was to avoid the embarrassment of United fans vastly outnumbering City in their own ground, had it been held in the first team stadium.
We raised the issue in the media and made private representations to the FA ahead of the final. To their credit The FA responded explaining they were bound by their own current rules but they assured us that these rules will now be reviewed for next season and beyond.
We have since raised the issue with the Football Supporters Association, requesting them to use their own dialogue with the FA to press for rule changes to make sure that the default venue should be the main home stadium for the designated 'home team' and if they cannot host it the other finalist should be offered the opportunity. We also argued that each club should initially be offered the same number of tickets as would happen with any one off neutral venue final.
United Refinances Debt – But the Cost to the Club Keeps Rising
Today the club announced that it has refinanced a major element of its debt by issuing $550m of new bonds. What does that mean for the club's finances, transfer plans and future spending? MUST’s Finance Director, Andy Green, takes a closer look at the latest refinancing deal and the continuing cost of debt at Manchester United.
Read the full article here
Looking ahead
The challenges facing supporters are not going away.
The coming year is likely to bring important discussions around the future stadium project, ticketing arrangements, supporter consultation, ownership matters and the long-term future of Manchester United.
As always, MUST will continue to engage constructively where possible, challenge where necessary and ensure that supporters' interests remain at the centre of those conversations.
Thank you
As another season comes to an end, we want to thank every single member who has supported MUST during the last year.
MUST exists because supporters choose to come together. We receive no funding from Manchester United and our independence depends entirely on the backing of our members.
Every membership strengthens our voice. Every renewal increases our influence. Every member helps ensure that Manchester United supporters continue to have an independent, democratic organisation representing their interests.
Thank you for standing alongside your fellow supporters.
If you have not yet renewed your membership for next season, please take a moment to do so. It is the best way you can show your support for your organisation and the work we do.
And if you are visiting Old Trafford over the summer, feel free to call in to MUST House and say hello. During the season, if you are attending a match, we'd always be delighted to see you at the MUST office, shop or stall.
Thank you once again for your support.
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