Man Utd WAGs 'to lose freebie trips' as Sir Jim Ratcliffe tightens purse strings

The lavish freebie trips to Wembley for the FA Cup final, usually enjoyed by Manchester United WAGs, are under threat this year. The club’s staff have been informed that there will be no extra tickets for family members, no traditional free lunch or transport to the match against Manchester City on May 25.

The club’s 1,100 employees will each receive only one complimentary ticket and are expected to contribute £20 towards their coach travel to London. This comes amid concerns that new part-owner, multi-billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is introducing a period of austerity at Old Trafford, despite it being the fifth richest football club, according to the Mirror.

In the past, United has provided luxury hotels, exclusive after parties and covered flight costs for players’ relatives for major matches. However, insiders at the club have disclosed that there will be “no official trip” to this year’s final, meaning attendees will have to fund their own travel.

A final decision “was yet to be made”. Players such as Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Casemiro are expected to be supported by their WAGs.

Maguire, 31, will likely require at least eight seats for his wife, Fern, 29, their two children, his parents and two brothers, who regularly attend big games.

Shaw, aged 28, is looking forward to seeing his girlfriend, Anouska Santos, 31, their four-year0old son Reign and daughter Storie, who’s celebrating her second birthday this month, in the spectator stands. The wives of Lindelof and Casemiro, Maja and Anna Mariana respectively, are also anticipated at the event.

However, the average football fan may not feel too heartbroken over these wealthy players needing to pay for a Wembley jaunt, but they’ll likely extend their sympathies towards the club’s less affluent employees.

Club staff received an email explaining the decision as part of measures to “spend the club’s money effectively”. However, just a day later, the club footed the bill for a glamorous outing involving the players’ wives and girlfriends, complete with Harvey Nichols luxury goody bags – creating another bitter pill to swallow for certain members of staff.

As per Deloitte’s reports, United generated a revenue of £640million last year. Yet, following the Glazers’ leveraged buyout, the club’s net debt, inclusive of a credit revolving facility, has escalated to a significant £710m.

The club’s financial predicament has been more deeply felt due to decreasing revenue, primarily due to lacklustre performance on the field leading to missed opportunities for trophy success and associated prize money – something they got used to under Sir Alex Ferguson’s term. Regardless of Manchester United’s top-positioning in league earnings, club supporters bear witness to the stadium which suffers extensive leaks during rainfall.

During United’s Sunday fall against Arsenal with a 1-0 loss, video footage revealed water streaming down from the roof and falling onto seats below, flooding the stands. Footage of rainfall leaking into the Arsenal dressing room and causing waterlogging also came to light.

Workmen have been spotted conducting inspections of the stadium’s roof. Sir Jim, aged 72 and the new owner of a 25 percent stake in the club, acquired for a whopping £1.2billion, has expressed his ambition to create a “Wembley of the North” by constructing a brand-new stadium to take the place of Old Trafford.

However, United’s plans to repair the problematic leaking roof are currently on pause as they deliberate over this grand vision.

The feasibility of fitting a new roof has been assessed by the club, yet such an undertaking comes with a hefty price tag, making it an unlikely move while Sir Jim’s proposals are under consideration.

Demolishing Old Trafford and erecting a cutting-edge stadium on the same site could rack up costs of around £3billion.

Alternatively, revamping the iconic venue is another route being considered, which would be less expensive than a complete teardown and wouldn’t require as much time as constructing a new edifice. The refurbishment is estimated to cost in the region of £1billion.