Man City fans to hold protest in joint message with Manchester United supporters

Manchester City fans will put rivalries aside this weekend and stand side-by-side with opposition supporters ahead of their Premier League clash with Southampton.

And on Sunday, Manchester United fans will do the same alongside West Ham fans in a nationally-coordinated message to clubs over ticket prices.

City and United fans have been vocal against their clubs about annual price rises and the general cost to follow their respective teams. City raised prices again this season despite record profits, and fans are also keen to get clarity on how many season tickets will be made available in the expanded North Stand when it opens.

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United supporters have seen their ticket prices rise for the last two seasons after an 11-year freeze, and there is trepidation at potential price hikes if co-owners INEOS press ahead with a potential stadium rebuild - with Tottenham's league-high prices at their £1bn stadium cited as an example.

Affordability for fans is a constant issue, with clubs often trying to balance the need to maximise revenues with keeping prices affordable for loyal, working fans. That 'loyalty' theme will be the centre of this week's national campaign by the Football Supporter's Association, which will see fans at various grounds unite behind banners reading 'Stop Exploiting Loyalty'.

The City protest, jointly held with Southampton supporter groups, will take place at 2pm across the road from the Asda next to the Etihad, where the MCFC Fans Foodbank Support gather before each game. The 1894 Group and Man City Disabled Supporters Association will also take part.

United fans will stand with West Ham fans on Sunday at 1pm at Bridge One by the Aquatics Centre at the London Stadium. Fans of other clubs in the Premier League have reported price rises of an average of seven per cent according to the FSA, with examples of adjustments to concessionary rates forcing certain fans to pay even more.