Man Utd are on the brink of returning to Bilbao for the Europa League final but many supporters will be left unhappy by the small allocation of tickets.
Manchester United players celebrate wth their fans in Bilbao
Manchester United will receive just 14,770 tickets for the Europa League final in Bilbao should they see off Athletic Club in Thursday’s semi-final second leg at Old Trafford.
United are in command of the last-four showdown after a 3-0 win at San Mames in the first leg, a result that has left them with one foot in the final back in Bilbao on Wednesday, May 21.
After Thursday night’s success, United supporters have received information on the allocation of tickets for the final, with the short turnaround between the semi-final second leg and the final meaning plans have to be made in advance.
Although Athletic’s San Mames stadium holds more than 53,000 fans, United have communicated to supporters that they will be allocated just 14,770 tickets for the game. Their opponents, either Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt, will receive the same allocation.
That means just over 29,000 tickets will go to supporters of the two finalists, with a further 24,000 allocated elsewhere. The small allocation has been criticised by United supporters on social media.
In the email sent to supporters, ticket prices were confirmed as ranging between €40 for Category 4 and accessibility tickets and €240 for Category 1 tickets.
The email said: “Following our first UEFA Europa League semi-final leg last night, we look forward to what we hope will be another thrilling return leg at Old Trafford next week.
“If we win the tie and qualify for the UEFA Europa League final there will be a very short window of just 13 days until the game and fewer than five until UEFA’s deadline for tickets to be processed. We therefore need to take applications from fans who would wish to travel subject to qualification, in advance.”
Ticket applications are being accepted from executive club members and season ticket holders with at least one European away credit in the last three seasons, all other executive club members, platinum and gold level season ticket holders who have purchased a ticket for all 10 home cup games this season, and wheelchair user season ticket holders.
The low allocations could become a bigger issue if Spurs see off Bodo/Glimt in the other semi-final, setting up an all-Premier League final that will result in thousands of supporters of both teams travelling to Bilbao without tickets.
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