Gary Neville shows initiative to fundraise for former Manchester United players after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting drive hit those responsible for making the club what it is today.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe gave plenty of warning that difficult decisions would be made to address the club’s financial situation.
They’ve announced over 400 redundancies, scrapped an agreement that earned Sir Alex Ferguson a well-paid ambassadorial role, and increased season ticket prices by 5%.
Ineos have proved ruthless with their decision-making since their involvement with United began over a year ago. They also decided to cut donations to the Association of Former Manchester United players, which was set up in 1985 to promote friendship, support and conduct charitable work.
These decisions have led to unrest within the club as well as on the terraces with United fans continuing to protest against the ownership.
It’s no secret that Ratcliffe and his chiefs have made mistakes at United, but only time will tell if they will perform any U-turns to fix them.
Gary Neville steps in to support former Manchester United players
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville interviewed Sir Jim Ratcliffe last month.
A range of topics were discovered, including plans for the new stadium, which Neville already had insight into as a member of the Old Trafford Task Force.
However, one response left the former right-back bemused enough to take action.
Neville asked Ratcliffe about the decision to stop paying its £40,000 charity payment to the Association of Former Manchester United Players, only to leave the Ineos chief scrambling for an answer.
The footballer-turned-pundit/entrepreneur suggested using United first-team members like Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes to speak at a dinner, selling 1,000 tickets for £30-50 and including ways to make extra money from raffles and auctions.
Ratcliffe’s reaction was telling as he admitted: “Well, nobody suggested that.”
Now, Neville has shown initiative by stepping in to raise money for former players by organising an event to honour ex-striker Andy Cole, with the proceeds going to AFMUP.
Tickets will cost £125 and it takes place on April 24, with guests including legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Speaking to The Sun, AFMUP trustee Jim Elms said: “Gary telephoned me and said he’d organise a Q&A session and we are all delighted.”
Neville deserves credit for acting on behalf of former United players.
Ruben Amorim responds to Gary Neville’s ‘robotic’ criticism
Gary Neville tore into both Manchester United and Manchester City after the scoreless derby last weekend.
The Sky Sports pundit shared his thoughts during a live broadcast after the match, saying: “They’re micromanaged within an inch of their lives – so robotic, that game – and quite symptomatic, actually, a lot of games that we’re watching nowadays.
“It’s not good enough. I feel disappointed.
“It’s a Manchester derby and it should have more blood, thunder, and risk, and courage involved in playing the game and trying to win the game than that.”
A few days later, Amorim was asked about Neville’s comments during an interview with Sky Sports. The United head coach admitted he understood where Neville was coming from in terms of his criticism.
“In this game, they are seeing the games and in our moment, with the season that we are doing, we have to accept it and this is quite fair.
“Sometimes at the end of the game, you don’t like it because you are trying really hard to change things and they are talking about your players.
“But then, one day later, you can understand. It’s fair and I understand what he’s saying.”
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