'They want us gone' - Man Utd fans' fury over ticket ultimatum

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Manchester United have 46,800 season-ticket holders at Old Trafford By Daniel Austin BBC Sport senior journalist Published 6 minutes ago Manchester United fans have reacted with fury after " thousands" had their season-ticket accounts restricted. The action follows an attempt by United to identify potential ticket touts and those breaking the club's ticketing terms and conditions. But supporters have told BBC Sport that those who have been informed their season tickets are now at risk of being revoked include many of the club's most loyal followers, and insist that the majority have done nothing wrong. "I feel angry about it - they just want us gone," Andy, a season ticket holder for more than 35 years, who was informed his account has been restricted on Monday night, told BBC Sport. "My dad has been a season-ticket holder since 1974, when we were in the second division. He is a pensioner now and I have to help him with all the online stuff since digital tickets became a thing. "Going the match is our bond. Things like that are what keep older people alive sometimes. "It's stressful enough for my own mental health but I think it could make my dad ill." Manchester United declined to comment on the process or fan reaction when asked to do so. 'They don't want fans, they want customers' In one email sent to a supporter, seen by BBC Sport, Manchester United said: "We have identified patterns linked to your ticketing account that we need to understand more clearly. "We need to establish whether there is a straightforward explanation for the activity identified." As it stands, those under suspicion have had restrictions placed their online accounts, preventing them from buying and transferring tickets. Those whose accounts have been flagged have been asked to submit evidence to the club to defend themselves if they feel they have been wrongly accused. United have not revoked any tickets so far and an appeals panel will make a final decision on each case before their Premier League season begins on 22 August. But supporters such as Andy say they have not been told explicitly what they are being accused of, that the lack of information feels like they are being invited to incriminate themselves, and that the confusion is causing significant anxiety. "They have already taken my season ticket money," Andy says. "They don't care about how it affects people, their relationships, maybe their health and mental health. There is no empathy. "I feel like people are punished for their loyalty. They don't want fans, they want customers." Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Old Trafford is the biggest home club football stadium in the UK, and the fourth biggest in Europe In a social media post, Manchester United Supporters' Trust said the club has "been sending out account suspensions and season-ticket cancellation notices to thousands of supporters". "We have been overwhelmed with requests for help [and] have sent out