Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt say they cannot get hold of tickets at their former club, and that United is ‘different’ to when they played at Old Trafford.
There have been plenty of criticisms of Manchester United minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, since his INEOS Group took over control of footballing operations at the club.
British businessman Ratcliffe purchased a £1.3 billion stake in United in 2023.
Fans had hoped boyhood United fan Ratcliffe would turn things around after years of decline under the Glazer family.
But after two years of lay-offs, budget cuts and brutal cost-cutting, the reality has been very different.
In February, Ratcliffe announced scouting cuts at Manchester United among other measures, receiving significant backlash.
Many have accused United’s owners from draining the soul out of the club.
And now, former players Scholes and Butt have discussed how unrecognisable their old team has become, even claiming they can no longer get ahold of tickets to games.
It’s not the first time Ratcliffe’s ownership has attracted their criticism, either.
In January, Manchester United icon Scholes slammed Sir Jim Ratcliffe for raising ticket prices at Old Trafford.
But the disregard and apathy towards two decorated club legends is especially likely to upset fans.
Paul Scholes And Nicky Butt Cannot Get Manchester United Tickets
Between them, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt played more than 1,100 times for Manchester United.
The pair won countless trophies and awards, as part of the most dominant side in English football history under Sir Alex Ferguson.
And yet, the Class of ’92 graduates say the club is completely different to the one they remember.
On this day in 2000, Paul Scholes scored this iconic volley for Manchester United away at Bradford 🚀 pic.twitter.com/p285VVjNPb
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 25, 2024
Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, Scholes said:Â “It’s a different football club to what we knew it as.
“I don’t really know anybody there anymore.”
And getting hold of tickets has now become difficult for the two ex-players, with Scholes even admitting to using a ticket tout.
“I’ve had a Salford lad who wants to go to the game asking for a couple of tickets,” added Scholes.
“I’ve had to ring a tout! Honestly I know a tout.”
Nicky Butt Has Manchester United Season Ticket Withdrawn
And Butt confirmed he’s faced similar issues, even having his season tickets withdrawn.
He said:Â “My lad’s got the same thing. if you don’t use them [season tickets] three times you get them taken off you.
“So I’ve had an email saying you’re having your tickets taken off you.
“I’ve rang up and said ‘can I speak to somebody about this please’, and they’ve gone ‘who am I speaking to?'”
“And I go ‘Nicky Butt’ and they’ve gone ‘who’s that?'”
“I couldn’t say it but i felt like going ‘I’ve played about 450 games for this club.”
Nicky Butt
Manchester United
1992-2004
387 Apps
26 Goals pic.twitter.com/zoX9LSsjcY— Football Encyclopedia (@FootballEncyc_) November 24, 2025
But Scholes did admit that being former players should not get them free tickets.
He added: “I’m not complaining about that, that’s just the way it is.
“Just because you played for the club, you’re not entitled to stuff.”
“You’re going back 13 years now to the last time I played.
“We don’t mind paying for them [tickets], but we just don’t know who to ring because the club is just different.”
