Manchester United have confirmed they will increase season ticket prices by £1 a game next season. While many clubs have reduced prices to attract more cash-strapped fans United are still turning away an average of almost 5,500 fans per game.

From next campaign a top price ticket will be £49 and the cheapest £27.

"We are still turning away over 5,000 people per game on average and we believe it represents good value for money," said a United spokesman.

United claim they are 'highly unlikely' to add the additional 59 pence to a £27 ticket when VAT returns to its previous 17.5% level on December 31, although supporters' groups remain unimpressed.

"It has been said in the past that the owners of the club will squeeze United supporters until the pips squeak and this is clearly the case," said Sean Bones, vice-chairman of the Manchester United Supporters Trust.

"Earlier in the year, the government gave a 2.5% reduction on the price of VAT on tickets.

"The Glazers have absorbed this benefit and added more increases on top."