The green that is making United fans see red

If you are a Manchester United fan and want to support the Reds when they take on Barcelona in the final match of the Champions League on May 28, get ready to pay through your nose. The package for supporters of the English club will lighten their purses by close to 600 pounds (Rupees 44,000).

According to an article published in the Guardian, Thomas Cook Sport is selling packages at the mentioned rate despite the actual tickets costing approximately 225 pounds per person (Rupees 16,520). The total sum includes a return trip and dinner which at 349 pounds (Rupees 25,000) makes for an exorbitantly expensive sporting affair at the Wembley.

Fans of Manchester United are obviously left fuming. "The number of tickets allotted are few and even in those, season pass holders are getting the preference. This is fine but what about others like us who support the team with as much passion?" asks Jonathon Reeves, a student.

The only alternate option is one which actually works out to be even more expensive although it includes a night's stay at a London hotel. Cost: 499 pounds plus ticket cost, for traveling by train.

According to reports, the Thomas Cook Sports packages were sold out in three hours after being offered to the public.

Those who could not manage the tickets, are stubborn enough to catch the action live at the stadium and have the moolah to throw around - the skybox at the Wembley is going for 4290 pounds plus taxes. That's over 3 lakh Indian rupees if you are planning to hop across from the sub-continent to British Isles for the match. The others can just watch the match on the tube despite their rising anger against the ticketing policy.