- Manchester United have warned their supporters to be more punctual for games
- Several fans received emails urging them to arrive at least an hour before kick off
- The emails were criticised, with one supporter comparing United to ‘Big Brother’
- Others hit out at the standard of security staff being employed by United
Manchester United have been accused of acting like Big Brother after they wrote to fans who have turned up at kick-off or later this season.
In an email sent to a number of supporters, head of venue Dan Schofield tells them that their arrival times are being monitored.
He writes: ‘Our records show that you have got into the stadium at, or after, kick-off for most Premier League matches so far this season’, before adding: ‘Therefore, it would be great if you could arrive earlier, no later than 1 hour prior to kick-off’.
Manchester United urged fans to improve on their arrival times ahead of the Manchester derby
United have increased security measures this season at Old Trafford and are wary of the impact the new measures have on queues at turnstiles.
Schofield says that the forecast of snow and traffic issues caused by Christmas shopping at the nearby Trafford Centre are also issues to contend with at Sunday’s derby.
The email adds, in bold: ‘Please make sure you get to Old Trafford before 3.30pm this Sunday.’
The Red Devils have requested supporters arrive at least an hour prior to Sunday’s kick off
The club have introduced half-priced drinks on concourses before matches in a bid to get fans into the ground early and in his email, Schofield adds that the Merseyside Derby will be shown on TVs.
However, one fan, who declined to be named, hit out at the note.
Dear Dan. Stop being a nosey bastard. If you cared about the delays at the turnstiles you’d stick more fully trained security staff on and serve competitively priced food and drink. pic.twitter.com/eejgEntsHb
— Ian Stirling (@Stirling061) December 8, 2017
Emails were distributed to some supporters, who arrive on, or after, kick off and has seen many hit back at United, with one recipient likening the club to ‘Big Brother’
‘It’s like Big Brother,’ he said. ‘We’re watching you, and we want you to do as we say. I’ll get there when I want to, thank you very much.’ The email sparked similar criticism among Reds on Twitter.
Geoff Pearson, a lecturer at Manchester University, wrote: ‘I also got the ‘you keep missing kick-off email’. Sorry @manutd but huddled in a concourse drinking rubbish beer from a plastic glass does not compete with a decent pre-match experience. And I arrive 20 minutes late these days to avoid queues.’
Others hit out at the standard of security staff and said that if they were properly trained there would be no issues.
