Man Utd fans make ticket protest

The automatic cup ticket scheme has infuriated many United fans

Manchester United fans have complained to a government watchdog over the way the club treats season ticket holders.

Some supporters are unhappy that when renewing their season tickets, they are charged for FA Cup and Champions League tickets whether they want them or not.

And the Manchester United Supporters Trust wants the Office of Fair Trading to investigate whether the club have abused their market position.

When asked by the BBC Manchester United declined to comment on the matter.

In the past, United have defended their automatic cup ticket scheme (ACT).

The club now allow some opt-outs, for example from Carling Cup matches, following widespread anger towards the scheme among fans.

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"The Supporters Trust argues the ACT has obliged fans to commit in advance to buy tickets to home FA Cup and Champions League matches when they renewing their season tickets for Premier League games," said BBC Radio 5 Live sports news correspondent Gordon Farquhar.

"Some fans are happy with the arrangements as they would otherwise have to buy the tickets separately, but others object to the practice.

"They say one issue is they don't know what how much the final price of their season tickets will be as that depends how far they will progress in the cup competitions.

"The OFT will now have to decide whether the fans' concerns are worthy of a formal investigation."