While a range of measures have been introduced to effectively cut the cost of concessionary tickets, meaning an adult with two children will pay less next season than they did this, full price tickets have risen sharply.

The biggest increases are in the lower tiers of the North and South Stands, which will rise from £665 (€976) to £722 (€1,060), while the most expensive seats in the stadium are the upper tier of both stands, which rise over 12% to £836 (€1,227).

In addition, all season ticket holders not currently a member of the club’s automatic cup scheme, which forces fans to buy tickets for cup games whether they intend to watch the game or not, will be required to join.

Junior tickets in the Family Stand will be frozen at £190 (€278), while all junior tickets in other sections of the stadium will be £10 (€14.50), a 48.7% reduction.

Over 65s will pay £20 (€29) or half the cost of an adult ticket in the appropriate section of the stadium, whichever is the lower.

Despite those initiatives, United are sure to be condemned by fans’ groups, who warned of hefty increases in ticket prices once Malcolm Glazer completed his controversial takeover two years ago.

However, United officials can argue their move – which bucks the trend of other north-west clubs such as Blackburn, Bolton and Wigan who have cut the price of tickets – is justified given Old Trafford continues to sell out for virtually every home game.

The lowest crowd for any Red Devils’ first-team game this season is 61,325 for the recent FA Cup sixth round replay with Middlesbrough, while all 18 Premiership home games have had attendances topping 75,000.