Sir Jim Ratcliffe has developed a reputation for making hard-edged decisions — something Michael Carrick could soon experience himself — and the Association of Former Manchester United Players appears to have been hit by another of them.
Ratcliffe made headlines at Christmas two years ago when it emerged that he had reduced United’s annual £40,000 contribution to the AFMUP, a charity that has supported former players since 1985.
The organisation was dealt another blow last week when it was told at short notice that the second of its two yearly dinners could not take place in the Manchester Suite at Old Trafford and would need to be relocated.
As preparations continued for Sir Alex Ferguson’s lavish 40th-anniversary celebration in the Heritage Suite on Friday, the AFMUP was rescued by Hotel Football. The venue, partly owned by Gary Neville and members of the Class of ’92, hosted the charity’s dinner across the road 24 hours earlier. Ferguson, it should be noted, has been a longstanding supporter of the organisation.
There are now fears the AFMUP may not return to Old Trafford, with United reportedly insisting on a minimum attendance of 400 — twice the number of guests the charity can attract.
In the past, the AFMUP returned half of the £40,000 contribution to the club to cover the cost of hiring the suite for its April and September dinners, while raising extra money through ticket sales and auctions.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) has earned a reputation for tough decisions, and the Association of Former Manchester United Players appears to have suffered another setback
When Neville confronted Ratcliffe in a one-to-one interview in March last year, describing the donation cut as a ‘cruel decision’ and suggesting United should stage the dinner themselves with current players in attendance, the minority owner replied: ‘Well nobody suggested that, I would have supported that.’
United chief executive Omar Berrada subsequently attended the following month’s dinner alongside Ferguson and former CEO David Gill. Neville, Andy Cole and Jonny Evans were also there, while the club donated a VIP package valued at £20,000 for the auction.
Football director Jason Wilcox attended the next gathering in September, where he took part in a rare on-stage interview. At this year’s April event, Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce proved a popular double act and provided the evening’s main attraction.
Thursday’s dinner had already been shifted from September 24 because of a double booking. It celebrated Duncan Edwards, who would have turned 90 on October 1. Former chairman Martin Edwards and Gill attended, along with former goalkeeper Alex Stepney.
John Gubba, the AFMUP’s official filmmaker and publicist, drew attention to the latest setback on his Man Utd The Religion YouTube channel. He said: ‘While the red carpet is being rolled out for Fergie, the club have been brutally abandoning the former players’ association.
‘Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s latest cutbacks have delivered another kick in the teeth for the AFMUP. Holding its major event at the Theatre of Dreams gave former players and their guests a genuine sense of belonging to the football club. Being forced out at such short notice leaves a bitter taste.’ You can watch the full video here.
United sources said the club had helped arrange an alternative venue at Hotel Football because the stadium was unavailable, adding that the charity would be welcome back at Old Trafford in the future.
Omar’s culture club
Berrada attended Ferguson’s anniversary dinner on Friday and spoke about the importance of creating a strong culture at Old Trafford.
He was among 100 guests invited to mark the 40th anniversary of Ferguson’s appointment as Manchester United manager. The Scot moved from Aberdeen to succeed Ron Atkinson in November 1986.
Many of Ferguson’s former players attended and posed for photographs with him, including Michael Carrick, Brian McClair, Edwin van der Sar, Robin van Persie, David May, Wes Brown, Paul Parker, Dion Dublin, Denis Irwin, Jesper Blomqvist, Ryan Giggs, Gary Pallister, Javier Hernandez, Clayton Blackmore, Jonny Evans, John O’Shea, Darren Fletcher, Ronny Johnsen, Lee Martin, Nemanja Vidic and Quinton Fortune.
Ferguson’s former assistant Mike Phelan was also present, as were Gill and kit manager Albert Morgan.
The 100 guests gathered to celebrate 40 years since Sir Alex Ferguson (third right) became United manager in November 1986
Shaw eyes Anfield return
Luke Shaw is aiming to be fit for Manchester United’s trip to Liverpool a week on Sunday, Confidential understands.
The 31-year-old has not played since completing 90 minutes against Tottenham on October 10. He has missed seven matches, taking him through to the current international break.
His absence has highlighted United’s shortage of options at left-back, a position the club hierarchy failed to strengthen during the transfer window despite an obvious need. Diogo Dalot, who was jeered by supporters when he was substituted against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, has struggled while operating on his less-favoured flank.
With Patrick Dorgu also back in contention, Shaw hopes to make the squad for Anfield. His return would provide a welcome boost to a defence that has conceded more goals than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues, jointly, across all competitions this season.
Defenders on Reds’ radar
Nothing has damaged Carrick’s early spell as United head coach more than the defensive collapse that has seen his side concede 15 goals in their last five matches.
United decided to postpone a defensive rebuild until next year after prioritising midfield recruitment last summer. That decision now looks expensive, with Matthijs de Ligt only recently returning following a year out and injuries affecting Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui.
The situation could push United into the January transfer market. Confidential understands that Brentford centre-back Nathan Collins and Fulham defender Calvin Bassey have joined Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite on the club’s list of possible targets.
United are also looking for a striker after failing to move Joshua Zirkzee on and recruit cover for Benjamin Sesko in the summer, although a loan deal is considered the likeliest option.
Brentford’s Nathan Collins and Fulham’s Nigeria international Calvin Bassey are both under consideration by United
Relegation kit-astrophe
United’s slide to 18th in the Premier League has created a relegation nightmare, but the financial consequences of dropping down could be even more alarming.
Parachute payments would offer some protection in the unlikely event of relegation, yet adidas could choose to terminate its record £900million, 10-year kit deal. The agreement was announced in 2023 and came into effect last year.
The contract allows the German sportswear company to end the arrangement by giving the club 12 months’ notice. Adidas can also reduce its annual payment to £45m if United are outside the Premier League, while a failure to qualify for the Champions League would trigger a £10m yearly penalty.
Banner clampdown
Stewards confiscated two banners criticising United’s owners during Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
One banner read ‘Jim Can’t Fix This’ but was removed because officials considered its reference to Jimmy Savile inappropriate. Another said ‘We Don’t Want A New Stadium, We Want New Owners’ and was taken down after it was judged to be obstructing the view of supporters.
Club sources insist protests will continue to be permitted provided they comply with stadium regulations. United monitored Sunday’s demonstration closely, with a heavier police presence in the Stretford End and stewards asking supporters entering the section which group they represented.
The protest again featured green and gold balloons released before kick-off and was organised jointly by The Red Army, The 1958, Manchester United Youth Supporters Club, South Stand United and Retro Reds.
However, confiscating the banners appeared particularly unusual because United had held them for more than 30 hours before the match, after they were delivered at 10am on Saturday.
The banners are stored in the Stretford End ahead of each fixture, making it difficult to understand why the club waited until matchday to order their removal rather than refusing to distribute them in the first place.
One of the banners criticising United’s ownership was removed during the 4-4 draw against Aston Villa
Onana’s word perfect
As Senne Lammens endured his poorest performance in a United shirt against Aston Villa on Sunday, the goalkeeper who replaced him at Old Trafford was enjoying a more positive evening in Turkey.
Andre Onana kept a clean sheet as Trabzonspor defeated Alanyaspor to move second in the Turkish Super Lig, behind Galatasaray.
The result came three days after Trabzonspor’s Europa League defeat by Freiburg, a match in which Onana could not resist teasing English reporters.
When journalists from Daily Mail Sport and the BBC asked him for a quick comment, the Cameroon international delivered a memorable response: ‘I don’t speak English, bro,’ Onana said — in flawless English. Classic.
