Two of Manchester United's most decorated former players, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, found themselves watching their old club's FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton from the stands alongside legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. This came after the pair had publicly detailed significant difficulties in obtaining match tickets and even faced threats of having their season passes revoked.
The Class of '92's Ticket Struggles Revealed
Speaking on 'The Good, The Bad & The Football' podcast in November, the midfielders, who were integral to the club's iconic 'Class of 92', expressed their frustration with the modern ticketing system at Old Trafford. Scholes, who made 718 appearances and won 25 trophies including 11 Premier League titles, confessed he no longer feels connected to the club's administration.
"It's a very different football club to the club we knew," Scholes stated. "I don't know about you Nicky, you worked there quite recently, but I don't really know anybody there." Butt, who played 387 times for United securing 15 honours before a 2004 move to Newcastle, echoed the sentiment, simply adding: "I don't know anybody there."
Ringing Touts and Revocation Threats
Scholes explained the extreme lengths he now goes to in order to secure tickets for friends and family, admitting he has resorted to using a ticket tout. The former England international holds four season tickets, primarily used by his son, but often receives requests from others.
"I've had a Salford lad who wants to go to the game this week - a couple of tickets," Scholes said. "So I've had to ring a tout? Am I allowed to say that? Honestly, I know a tout."
Butt then revealed an even more startling situation, detailing how he received an email threatening to revoke his season ticket due to lack of use. The club's policy can lead to tickets being withdrawn if they are not used on three occasions.
"I've had an email saying 'you're having your ticket taken off you'," Butt explained. "So I rang them up and said can I speak to somebody about this please? And they go 'who am I speaking to please?', and I go Nicky Butt and they go, 'OK, well who's that?'" Scholes humorously interjected: "Who's that? Is that the one who used to play for Newcastle?"
A Legendary Reunion in the Stands
Following these very public admissions, the scene at the FA Cup match against Brighton presented a stark contrast. Scholes and Butt were pictured watching the game seated next to Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager under whom they achieved unparalleled success. The image served as a powerful reminder of their enduring legacy at the club, even as they navigate a modern ticketing landscape that appears indifferent to their historic contributions.
The episode has sparked debate among fans about how clubs treat their former stars and whether commercial priorities are overshadowing tradition and respect for those who built the club's modern identity.
