Hundreds of Manchester United fans were left furious as a new ticketing system denied spectators access to the season opener against Arsenal and caused long delays for many more.
The Club announced in March that it would be changing to near field communication (NFC) technology, meaning all tickets would become digital on phones, similar to Apple or Google Pay.
Fans were left furious after being denied entry to Old Trafford
|Getty
The move was done in hopes of cutting down on resale tickets, but it has affected fans who have bought tickets from the official website.
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One fan claimed he was refused entry after being told his "ticket was cancelled".
After a six-hour journey, the fan was forced to wait outside the stadium for his friend, who was already inside watching the match.
He went on to explain that his friend had told him “someone else was sitting in his seat.”
The fan said he had bought his ticket directly from the club’s website and downloaded the app to his phone.
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He is set to watch United play against Manchester City, a game which he paid £380 for, but is now worried he may be refused entry to the game after the issues at the season opener.
Before kick-off, thousands were turned away from the match and could do nothing but stand around the car park and vent their frustrations to Supporters Services.
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The new ticketing systems caused issues for thousands of fans
|A group of fans had travelled all the way from India to see the game, claiming to have spent £5000 on hotels, flights, and match tickets.
They told creator Mark B TV: "This is England. This doesn't happen in cricket matches in the Indian Premier League. The customer service goes smoothly."
The creator spoke to fans who were still stuck outside 30 minutes into the game, who told him: “My ticket wouldn't scan, they said it's 'not allowed'. I've had the f*****g ticket since 1966. This is my last year as a season ticket holder."
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Footage circulated on social media of a large number of fans stuck queuing, as many blamed the new system for the delays.
One fan on X wrote: "Man Utd ticketing is a disgrace #laughingstock."
Another said: "It's a shambles. How can the club do this?"
Fans were still queuing 30 minutes into the game
|United fans weren’t the only ones to have to deal with issues entering the venue, as Chelsea fans took to social media to complain about entering Stamford Bridge ahead of their match with Crystal Palace.
Red Devils will be hoping for a better experience when they travel to Craven Cottage on Sunday to face Fulham as United look to pick up their first win of the season.