Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said he doesn't think it "makes sense" for Manchester United supporters to be paying less than what Fulham fans pay to watch their team amid a recent price hike at Old Trafford.

United have come in for staunch criticism from their supporters over the past week or so after they made the mid-season decision to raise matchday ticket prices to £66 per game, regardless of the age of the person purchasing them.

The club has said the increase will only affect a small number of fans as 97 per cent of tickets have already been sold but the remainder and resold tickets will be subject to the increase.

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United fans, along with some Everton supporters, held a protest outside Old Trafford ahead of last Sunday's Premier League clash, urging clubs to stop exploiting the loyalty of their fans. Liverpool and Manchester City fans held a protest of their own later in the day ahead of their meeting at Anfield.

For the first time, Ratcliffe has addressed the recent increase in matchday ticket prices at Old Trafford, declaring that he does not believe Fulham fans should be paying more to watch their team than what United supporters will have to pay to visit Old Trafford.

Reminded that Manchester is a working-class city, Ratcliffe, speaking to United We Stand via The Athletic, said: "I understand that. I was brought up on a council estate in Manchester, I absolutely get that.

"I don't want to end up in a position where the genuine local fans can't afford to come, but I do want to optimise the ticketing. We need to find a balance. And you can't be popular all the time either.

"Here, we're talking about three per cent of the tickets. That's not the issue. The issue, as you say, is whether this is the thin edge of the wedge. I don't think it makes sense for a Manchester United ticket to cost less than a ticket to see Fulham."

Told that wages are higher in London, Ratcliffe continued: "I get that. I'm not sure there's an answer that keeps everybody happy, but we need to keep the majority happy."

Outlining more details on the club's decision to increase matchday ticket prices, the Ineos chief added: "It's an emotive one, ticketing, but we have to have some benchmarks with ticketing.

"We must make sure that we look after the community because at the end of the day it's their football club. We need to make sure that people who are genuine supporters can afford to go. Maybe their circumstances don't allow them to spend a fortune on tickets."