Manchester United Cuts Off Alex Ferguson's Salary

Even the fiercest rivals of the Mancunians came to the legend's defense.

The new management of Manchester United continues its cost-cutting policy. This time, however, it wasn’t ordinary employees who were affected, but the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. Fans are outraged, and not just United supporters are upset.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who became a co-owner of Manchester United in February, announced a large-scale cost reduction program this summer. Hundreds of club employees became victims of the English businessman’s initiative. Ratcliffe didn’t stop there and decided not to provide lunch boxes to match-day staff. Instead, they were offered leftovers from food meant for corporate clients. After all, they couldn’t just leave the workers hungry, right?

There were other more minor cuts, too. Free travel and accommodation for staff on some away games were canceled, and the preparations for the traditional Christmas party for employees were scrapped. However, in the context of a club the size of Manchester United, these minor cuts are more symbolic than anything. The financial belt will hardly tighten, but the reputational damage could take years to repair.

The penny-pinching eventually led to Ferguson's dismissal. This comes despite Ratcliffe calling Sir Alex "an integral part of United's history" in February. According to The Athletic, the 82-year-old Scotsman will no longer receive his ambassadorial salary, around €2.5 million per year, at the end of the current season.

Ratcliffe personally informed Ferguson about the decision. According to overseas sources, Sir Alex understood the new management’s decision. Unlike the football fans, the penny saved has sparked a firestorm.

Manchester United fans are particularly irritated by the inconsistency of Ratcliffe’s policy. They point to another approved indulgence of Erik ten Hag, who demanded a massive wall worth €250,000 at the club’s training ground. Not to mention the more than €600 million spent on the Dutchman’s transfer whims and the astronomical contracts of many current players.

However, everyone is shocked by this decision. Even fans of United’s fiercest rivals don’t understand Ratcliffe’s move.

Among the most popular comments on social media: “A monstrous anti-football decision. Businessman Ratcliffe doesn’t understand where he’s stepped into. I’m a Liverpool fan, but I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”

One response under the comment is equally telling: “Same here, but I support Arsenal. After 26 years at the club and 38 trophies, Ferguson built what Ratcliffe is now profiting from. Disgusting.”

And for a final blow: “Team loyalties don’t matter. They’ve left an 82-year-old man who dedicated his life to Manchester United without a pension. At the same time, they run circles around the talentless ten Hag. LOL. Shameful.”

Yet, when Ratcliffe joined United’s ownership ranks, he promised to work on restoring the club’s image…

Published by Patrick Jane
16.10.2024