Manchester United fans revolt as Sir Jim Ratcliffe sells Old Trafford turf for £125

At the United Store on Wednesday, a modest wooden box labelled ‘Old Trafford Turf Cube’ went on sale, and by Thursday morning it was sold out, prompting a wave of anger among Manchester United supporters who see the £125 price tag as a cash‑grab by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers.

Club advert promises a piece of history

The website advert began, “As fans, the Old Trafford pitch has a special place in our hearts.” It highlighted that the men’s team, the women’s team and the Academy have all played on the hallowed surface, witnessing “wins and losses, successes and failures, highs and lows.” The copy promised that supporters could now own a piece of that legacy.

Fans question the value and motive

Critics argue that paying £125 for a 7cm × 7cm plastic box containing grass is excessive, especially as the club asks for more money amid a perceived lack of squad investment and co‑owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial views on immigration. The sale has been labelled “pearl‑clutching” by many Red Devils.

Supporters note that the turf includes grass from the last fourteen years, featuring Sir Alex Ferguson’s final title‑winning side and players such as Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin, Angel Di Maria, Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek.

While the product has sold out, the club’s shop now offers a “get notified” option for future stock, prompting jokes about which employee’s garden will be dug up to keep the cash flowing.

Barcelona previously sold similar memorabilia when redeveloping the Nou Camp, and Manchester United has done comparable sales before, but fans argue the current climate – with the team “stumbling from one crisis to the next” – makes the purchase feel tone‑deaf.

Nevertheless, no fan is forced to buy the cubes; the outrage stems from the perception that the club is exploiting passion for profit, a sentiment echoed across forums and social media.