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The game might be worryingly unchanged at Manchester United this campaign but as the visiting team prepare to travel to Old Trafford and heap more pressure on beleaguered head coach the team's leader, one aspect has definitely altered.

The protests in view of the directors' box that were a regular feature of United home games have disappeared.

"The club has shifted all supporters out," stated 81-year-old the long-time fan.

"They have luxury seating currently. Include a meal in the city and a few beverages before the match... I saw an advertisement, a ticket close to my previous location, it was £599. I was paying £23."

Relocation Policy

Carney was one of the season ticket holders told by the club they were being moved at the end of last season as the section was turned into a business hospitality area.

He had been occupying in the identical location since the early eighties. Many of the supporters he sat with had formed friendships.

The demonstrations - with the handmade signs - drew notice but did little to alter the club's position. Investor the club executive pushed on in his mission to increase income, cut expenses and minimize deficits.

Economic Impact

Supporters being moved were offered a selection of where to go.

In his case, there was an extra sting.

"Personally, they remained silent, they didn't get in touch with me, I didn't expect them to," he explained.

"They provided me with a seating chart, like you would for the theatre, with various locations for me to select.

"I ultimately selected in the section next to my original area but lower down. I was familiar with the individuals that occupied nearby seats and a few lads had moved a couple rows from the front.

"I didn't really want to be there but I desired to maintain contact with them, so that's where I went.

"They had sent communication to say the season tickets were only increasing 5% - but it also said the reduced rate for pensioners was being eliminated.

"So now, my seat is inferior and it is double the price. It was four hundred twenty pounds last year, now it is eight hundred forty pounds."

Club Position

United say they understand the disappointment of Carney and similar fans in the same situation but they are largely unapologetic about making the changes.

Ratcliffe had been explicit in his evaluation United's substantial financial deficits could not continue, cautioning there was a danger the organization might 'face bankruptcy' if no action were taken.

Consequently, relocating supporters in prime seats that can attract such a substantial price increase on previous rates was a obvious decision.

Financial Improvement

Last month, the club confirmed deficits had been cut by 70.8% from over one hundred million pounds to £33m.

Chief executive the club executive stated the improved financial performance would "support our overriding objective: achievement on the field".

To date, the anticipated uplift has failed to materialize, with the team suffering defeats in several of their multiple top division games in plus being knocked out of the domestic cup by fourth division Grimsby, the initial occasion in the club's records they have been defeated by a lower division team.

Historical Perspective

Being a person who began following United in the late 1940s and continues to has collectibles charting the development of the Busby Babes, Carney has seen plenty of good and bad times.

The lifelong fan states he cannot remember the circumstances being this discouraging as now.

"The current situation is the worst as it has ever been," he commented. "It's just heartbreaking.

"The team experienced pretty dire between the early sixties but there was inevitably a substantial decline after the Munich crash as the organization was reconstructing.

"It was also difficult periods in the seventies. I believe Sir Matt [Busby felt he was done after winning the continental trophy. The team made some poor signings and got relegated.

"But the passion among the fanbase was still present and the players we had made efforts. When we brought new talent and additional players to the club, you could observe the green shoots. I can't see that at present."

Upcoming Considerations

Carney is still considering if he will renew his ticket again next season.

As a minimum, he will attempt to move seats once more, having got soaked during the previous win over Chelsea as the wind swept heavy precipitation across the first few rows of seats where he now sits.

He has become older where he isn't sure how much longer he will be able to travel from his Northwich residence with his United mad grandson, who is disabled.

Either way, he is among many in believing the sport he has cherished all his life has changed at the top level, and not for the better.

"In my opinion the heart is there any longer. It is not just Manchester United, it is across the board. It's business, it's finance. The days that are past will never come back," he said.

"Now there are a lot of day trippers who travel from all over the world saying they have been to Old Trafford to see the team.

"The club do have resources - but they are £1bn in financial obligations.

"They are talking about a modern arena but the current trajectory, they might not need space for 100,000 supporters."