The Times:
Eight days after Chelsea played a Champions League match in front of only 24,973 spectators, Manchester United expect to record an attendance of more than 70,000 for their Carling Cup third-round tie against Coventry City this evening, although that impressive figure may be announced against a backdrop of empty seats at Old Trafford, or, at least, discontent among many of their supporters.
Under a controversial ticketing scheme, which has been made compulsory this season, United's 57,000 season ticket-holders are required to buy tickets for every match in all three cup competitions, regardless of whether they wish to attend. With Coventry expected to take at least 11,000 supporters to Old Trafford, the official attendance is guaranteed to be at least 68,000, but while the figures delight those in the Old Trafford boardroom, the scheme is deeply unpopular among United fans, who see it as symptomatic of the unwelcome changes since the Glazer family's takeover of the club in 2005.
"I wouldn't like to estimate the number of knockdown tickets I've been offered for this match from season ticket-holders who don't want to go, but have been forced to shell out for these tickets," Mark Longden, of the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association, said. "The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, when we see whether there are huge empty spaces for this game.
"I wouldn't be surprised if there are. I don't resent paying top dollar for matches that I really want to see, but I don't like being forced to see a game that I can't afford or I have less interest in. That's why I no longer have a season ticket."