Manchester United follow Arsenal and freeze season ticket prices for 2016-17 Premier League season

Manchester United have followed Arsenal in announcing they will not increase the cost of season tickets for the 2016-17 Premier League season. This is the fifth year in succession the club have committed to such a price freeze and the sixth time overall since 2008.

Following the Gunners' lead, United confirmed in a statement: "As we look ahead to the second-half of the current season, the club is delighted to confirm that season ticket prices will be frozen for 2016-17, making a fifth consecutive price freeze (and the sixth in seven seasons). Season ticket prices remain some of the best value in the league, with prices from just £10 (per game equivalent) for under 16s and £28 (per game equivalent) for adults.

"Discounted season tickets for under 16s (priced at just £190 in the Family Stand / Sir Alex Ferguson Stand tier 3) and for other age categories (50% off for 16-17 year olds & 65+ years [capped at £380] and 25% off for 18-20 year olds) will also continue as part of our ongoing commitment to make tickets more accessible for supporters of all ages.

"Demand for season tickets (and the opportunity to guarantee your seat for every home game) continues to grow and last May, Season tickets sold out within 24 hours of the renewal deadline. Match tickets for all Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup home games have also continued to sell out exclusively to Official Members."

The BBC's latest Price of Football survey, published in October 2015, revealed United's cheapest season ticket is priced at £532 ($772), while their most expensive offering would set you back £950. In terms of the costs for attending individual matches, their prices range from £31 to £58.

Although United's announcement focuses primarily on season tickets, Arsenal revealed on 8 January that they were to freeze prices for all those attending home fixtures, for the seventh time in 11 years.

Justifying the decision, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis told the official club website: "We have incredible home support with sell-out crowds for every game. This decision reflects our ongoing aim to maintain a fair and balanced approach to our ticket pricing."

Arsenal supporters currently pay some of the highest prices in English football. With a top-end season ticket priced at £2,013, their cheapest – £1,014 – is still dearer than the most expensive available at every other top-tier club bar Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Matchday tickets in north London cost between £27 to £97.

Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League as they seek to secure their first title since 2004, two points clear of Leicester and three ahead of Manchester City. United, meanwhile, lie fifth after ending a dismal run of eight consecutive matches without victory with a nervy 2-1 win over Swansea City. Both sides are in FA Cup third-round action this weekend, with the holders hosting struggling Sunderland and Louis van Gaal's side taking on League One play-off chasers Sheffield United.