Man Utd fans left fuming over 'joke' reduced ticket allocation for Arsenal FA Cup clash
MAN UNITED Supporters' Trust has branded Arsenal's decision to allocate just 5,000 away tickets for next week's FA Cup clash "a joke" and called for an increase.
United fans believe competition guidelines should see 9,000 seats available when the two sides meet at the Emirates for their fourth-round tie in 10 days.
FA Cup rules state that travelling supporters should receive 15 per cent of the stadium's capacity, meaning Arsenal's 60,000-seater stadium would leave the Reds with 9,000 tickets.
The Gunners are understood to have withheld some tickets due to safety reasons as they want to prevent fans standing in upper tiers.
A statement from MUST said: "What makes the FA Cup special is the larger away allocations than you get in league games.
"This creates the unique stadium atmosphere so beloved of the FA's premier cup competition.
LATEST MAN UNITED NEWS
"For Arsenal to offer little over half the proper allocation is a joke. And to say away fans cannot be in an upper tier, where they are at many league grounds, is ridiculous.
"What's more, this needs to be sorted now. The game is just 10 days away and at present United are unable to sell tickets to their fans. Supporters need to make arrangements for a fixture which has already been shifted to an inconvenient Friday night kick-off time.
"We need to keep the FA Cup special, and that means making Arsenal stick to the full away fan allocation."
SunSport has contacted Arsenal for comment.
Fans on social media hit out at the allocation with just 10 days to go until the game.
One wrote: "It's disgraceful behaviour by Arsenal."
Another said: "Funny how this happens to us all the time. Almost as if it's only when playing United that clubs feel confident of selling the tickets they withhold."
The Gunners are believed to have offered more than 8,500 tickets to travelling supporters in the FA Cup before.
LATEST ARSENAL NEWS
And Arsenal Supporters Trust agreed with the criticism, describing the club's decision as "frustrating".
A statement said: "One of things that was/is special about FA Cup is large away allocation.
"Set at 15 percent in rules. Creates great atmosphere & creates differentiation to PL. So frustrating to see this under threat at Emirates for MUFC Cup tie.
"Should there be a replay we would want 15pc of Old Trafford to support our team and this should be strides for at first leg too.
"The continual attack on rights of all away fans does nothing to help football as a live match experience."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ordered his Manchester United stars to wear club suits before matchesncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jqynqKqkZLOwu9ObmKWkX21%2FcXyYcGpopZGjerbAw2aYq6uVo66tecWaZJytoGQ%3D