SportBusiness.com

Manchester United Interactive charges fans

Manchester United has started charging fans to access match coverage on the internet.

Fans will have to pay GBP3.99 (USD5.67/EUR6.37) a month or GBP24.99 (USD35.54/EUR39.88) a year to access the matches, which date back to 1992.

Premier League matches staged on Saturday, Sunday or Monday will be embargoed until the following Tuesday morning. Midweek matches will be shown the following day.

The creation of the new unit, Manchester United Interactive, is part of a wider revamp of the club's digital operations.

The overhaul is designed to capitalise on the club's huge overseas fan base that cannot watch games on television.

Chelsea currently charges GBP4.99 (USD5.69/EUR6.38) a month to its online fans who want access to delayed match coverage.