The Legends of Manchester United may soon experience the brutality of INEOS executives as cost-cutting measures continue. Manchester United has informed club ambassadors, such as the renowned captain Bryan Robson, that their pay will be drastically reduced.
The newest wave of cost-cutting, spearheaded by new minority owner Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, will also result in lower remuneration for Robson, 1999 treble winners Denis Irwin, and Andy Cole.
Robson, known to United fans as “Captain Marvel,” has served as the club’s official global ambassador since 2011. One of his duties is to represent United at events all over the world.
Similar responsibilities are played by Irwin and Cole, and many more former Old Trafford players host sponsors and hospitality visitors at home games.
The cost of matchday ambassadorial work can range from £500 to £1,000, and many of the former players who participate depend on the money because they were deprived of high salaries during their playing careers.
Regarding contractual agreements with their ambassadors and legends, United-affiliated sources chose not to comment.
Since purchasing a 27.7% share in the fallen giants in December 2023, Ratcliffe has embarked on a drive to reduce spending at United.
Famous former manager Alex Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League crowns and the Champions League thrice, has been the most well-known casualty of the brutal cuts. As at the completion of this season, he was requested to forgo his lucrative ambassador pay of £2 million.
Additionally, billionaire Ratcliffe substituted Christmas incentive payments of £100 per employer with £40 vouchers and laid off 250 non-playing employees.
When he stopped the £40,000 yearly payment to The Association of Former Manchester United Players (AFMP), which keeps an active social network among aging former players, he created a stir.
The Manchester United charity foundation is also reportedly facing a funding cut, while the cost of tickets for children and pensioners has been increased to a minimum of £66 per game.
Sources close to the club insist the brutal cuts are necessary to stay on the right side of PSR rules and help fund a squad rebuild after recording losses of £113 million last year. In addition to the money he spent on his original shares, Ratcliffe, who is reportedly worth £23 billion according to the Sunday Times rich list, has already invested $300 million of his personal fortune. The money was supposed to help fund the new stadium project, but it is feared that if drastic cost-cutting measures are not taken, the money will be sucked up by losses.
Robson scored 74 goals in 345 league games for United and is regarded as one of their greatest ever players.
He joined United in 1981 for a then-record £1.5m and also played 90 times for England. David Beckham and Steven Gerrard are just two players who looked up to him when they were still dreaming of being footballers.
Irwin and Cole were both key members of the team under Ferguson that became the first English team to win the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup in the same season in 1999.
Known as ‘Cole the Goal’, the striker scored 121 times in 275 games, including five in one game in a 9-0 win over Ipswich. In the famous treble season, he was on target 24 times in total, which included the winner in a thrilling 3-2 win at Juventus to seal a place in the final.
Robson and Irwin were also both key members of the team under Ferguson that ended United’s 26-year wait to be crowned champions of England in 1993.
Signed from Oldham in 1990, Irwin remained part of the side until 2002 and remains the club’s second most decorated player with 13 winners medals.
United’s decision-making off the pitch has increased tension around the club amid their poor performances on it.
They are 13th in the Premier League with only seven wins from 22 matches, ten of which have ended in defeat.
A 3-1 loss at home to Brighton led to head coach Ruben Amorim saying that this is ‘maybe the worst team’ in the club’s history.
