Manchester United great Norman Whiteside and a number of supporters have been angered by the club's decision to relocate their season ticket seats at Old Trafford.
Whiteside joined United as a teenager in 1978 before breaking into the first team. He scored 67 goals in 274 games in a red shirt before departing for Everton in 1989.
The Northern Irishman became the youngest player to score in both FA Cup and League Cup finals during his time at the club. Whiteside also became the youngest to play in a World Cup, breaking Pele's record when representing his nation aged just 17 years and 40 days.
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Whiteside's career ended at the age of 26 due to injury, but he is still remembered fondly by fans for his contribution and his match-winning goal against Everton in the 1985 FA Cup final.
The 58-year-old is considered a United great, but that hasn't stopped him from being affected by a decision to relocate season ticket holders in block S122 at Old Trafford.
Whiteside is a platinum season ticket holder, which means he's held his ticket for over 25 years, and his name on his seat, but he now faces the prospect of being moved.
He is not alone and hundreds of other fans have been affected by the decision. Whiteside's wife, Dee, wrote on social media: "So, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a loyal supporter, doesn’t matter if you played for your club, United can just dump you from your seat when they feel like it, so they can expand exec seating. Absolute disgrace."
She continued: "I’d like to make clear that this post is not just about Norman. There are a whole block of loyal supporters who expressed their views to me at the West Ham game, but they feel as if they have no voice or platform to voice their anger.
"It’s not just about Norman, many of the 'United family' we sit with have been in that block for 20-30+ years, and are all really angry about this ENFORCED seat relocation. At a time when the football has been less than spectacular and the season ticket price is increasing."
The Manchester Evening News contacted United for comment and a spokesperson said: “We have the greatest respect for Norman as a legend of the club, and understand the disappointment caused to him and other season ticket-holders by seat relocations.
"There are various reasons why this happens, including, next season, the moving of matchday hospitality seats into consolidated blocks to address fan concerns about them being dispersed around the stadium.
"Other changes next season include the removal of hospitality seating from the Stretford End and installation of further rail seating in the North-West Quadrant, bringing benefits to many fans but also causing some disruption.
"No additional hospitality seats are being created at the expense of season ticket-holders — in fact hospitality seating will reduce by more than 500 next season. We are committed to working with all season ticket-holders affected by relocations, including Norman, to find them the best possible alternative seats elsewhere in the ground.”
Before that statement was made, a season ticket holder told the MEN: "I've sent an email and made three calls, but we've had little reassurance of where we will be moved to.
"I’m 52, my son is 19, we could move to another part of the ground. However, there are many older fans around us who have had their seat for decades and they have many friends around them.
"I think the club is underestimating the effect this could have on some of the fans and their mental health and welfare. I doubt many could handle the stairs in other parts of the ground."
Club sources have previously insisted they empathise with fans in such scenarios, while also indicating relocations within Old Trafford are often deemed necessary by staff.
