Manchester United have been criticised for axing their staff's FA Cup final perks – a day before paying a restaurant tab for the players' WAGs'.
The Premier League giants have a long-standing tradition which dates back to the era of Sir Matt Busby, where club employees would be gifted free tickets for the final as well as travel to and from Wembley, a pre-match lunch, after-match party, and accommodation in London.
However, that tradition has been slashed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos ahead of the final against Manchester City later this month which has left staff agitated, according to the Daily Mail.
READ MORE: Liverpool icon fears Arne Slot will be 'next David Moyes' in worrying Man Utd comparison
READ MORE:Jadon Sancho's transfer value has plummeted to shocking depths since £73m Man Utd move
Sky Sports is bringing you 500 live football games to watch, as well access to Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL, NBA and more across eight dedicated channels. Sky Sports is the only way to watch all the action this year.
£22 a month
SkyInstead of their usual perks, club staff were informed on Thursday that they would now only receive one ticket while having to pay £20 for a coach to the stadium for the derby final with the rest of the advantages axed.
The news reportedly didn't go down well with a number of United staff who learned that 24 hours after receiving the news of the termination of their perks, the club had foot the bill for a swanky lunch for several of the Red Devils' WAGs.
Have Manchester United been rightly criticised? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below
Scott McTominay's fiance Cameron Reading and Luke Shaw's partner Anouska Santos were among the several United WAGs who were snapped outside top restaurant San Carlo with Harvey Nichols and Manchester United-branded goody bags in hand.
In response to the news that the club paid the tab for the lunch, one staff member who wished to remain anonymous said: "It’s a bit of a kick in the teeth."
They added: "The trip to Wembley has been a tradition that staff have enjoyed for years and years. It’s like a thank you for the work that we do and it means that when the team does well we all get rewarded. Clearly they are cutting costs but to see that less than a day later the WAGS are out on the town with the club paying the bill is a bit rich."
Despite the uproar, United insiders have claimed to the Mail the decision to organise and pay for gatherings involving the players' partners is a key aspect of their player care department and their attempt to help new arrivals settle in order to succeed at the club.
Join the Daily Star's WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!
Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens...along with the latest breaking news of course.
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in!
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
It's also been suggested that United's need to adhere with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules was part of their decision regarding Wembley.
This news comes after Ratcliffe's plan to axe 25% of the club's staff to make major savings at Old Trafford as well as cancelling the corporate credit cards of senior figures to further tighten the purse strings in Manchester.
