Gary Neville told Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he was not a fan of his decision to cut money from former players, saying there was a better away to go about it.
In a brutally frank series of interviews, the minority owner spoke on a number of issues, revealing United could have gone bust by Christmas had he not slashed costs; Ruben Amorim will bring success back to the club and win the title in the next three years; It was a mistake to give Erik ten Hag a new contract and hire Dan Ashworth as sporting director and United are set to announce plans to build a brand new £2billion stadium.
Ratcliffe embarked upon a root-and-branch financial review after taking a quarter stake in the club last year.
In December it was reported that cost-cutting measures would be continued by cancelling a charity donation for club legends.
United donated £40,000 each year to a not-for-profit set up to help former players such as Bryan Robson, Brian Kidd and Denis Irwin.
The Association of Former Manchester United Players was founded in 1985 to support players who did not make the mouthwatering salaries of the modern era.
Gary Neville called out Sir Jim Ratcliffe over his decision to stop cut money for ex-players
‘£40,000 was taken from the former players association,’ Neville said to Ratcliffe. ‘Now that’s not the players that played under Sir Alex or even the last 10 years. They’re players from the 1960s and 70s.
‘I just look at that and think it’s £40,000 from players who are giving a lot back to the local community.
‘They’re obviously big supporters of United. Why not look at that £40,000 and put Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes in a dinner. Sell a couple thousand tickets for 30, 40, 50 quid. Raise the money through a dinner, maybe do a raffle and an auction.
‘Give the ex players their money and do it in a way where you’re not looking like it’s a cruel decision which it is. Why would that not be looked at as a shopping list of things that that has got a health warning to it. They’re former players. They’re people who have given a lot to the club. Why wouldn’t that decision be made.
Ratcliffe looked a little surprised before replying ‘well nobody suggested that because I would have supported that.’
‘The people at the club, you know most of them. They’re not cruel or heartless people.’
Ratcliffe admitted that Neville had a point during the interview on the Overlap
‘But it’s 40 grand,’ Neville continued. ‘Harry and Bruno can just turn up to a dinner and raise the money. Why didn’t the current players just put a grand each in for them.
‘Things like that if it came to these guys who have put so much time into the club over so many years. Why can’t we reinstate that?’
Maybe we can I don’t know, I can have a look at that. I’m not aware of that level of detail to be honest.’
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