Sir Jim Ratcliffe Reduces £40,000 Man Utd Charity Payment for Former Players

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly reduced annual funding to the Association of Former Manchester United Players (AFMUP) by £40,000, according to the charity.

Since taking control of football operations at Old Trafford, Ratcliffe has implemented significant cost-saving measures and job redundancies. The latest cut involves halting payments to the trust established to support former players from the pre-Premier League era.

Founded in 1985, AFMUP had received an annual contribution from the club to fund events for ex-professionals. These events, which occur four times a year, allow former players, including those who signed with United but never made a first-team appearance, to connect.

However, Jim Elms, an AFMUP trustee who played for United’s youth and reserve teams from 1957 to 1960, confirmed that the charity has not received its last two quarterly payments of £10,000. He added that they were informed this was part of Ratcliffe’s ongoing cuts.

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Elms, 84, shared with The Sun: "We sent a letter saying we hadn't been paid, but no one came forward to inform us, so we had to send another letter. That's when we started hearing that it might be the end of us."

According to Elms, United's chief executive Omar Berrada called him shortly before Christmas to inform him of the funding cut. Elms has since reached out to the club, urging them to reconsider the decision.

“Omar was non-committal. He said he’d meet with us again in January, but he couldn’t see things changing," Elms said. "He didn’t seem to think we were essential."

Elms expressed his frustration, stating: "We’ve been running it since 1985, keeping the old players together, looking after those who couldn’t even afford funerals. I just don’t understand it. It’s ridiculous."

He added, "We donate around £10-20,000 to charity, mostly to local children's causes. We’ve received £20,000 this year, but not the rest of it."

Under Ratcliffe's cost-cutting measures, perks such as staff travel to the FA Cup final and the Christmas party have been reduced, and Sir Alex Ferguson is also expected to leave his ambassadorial role.

Manchester United has been approached for a response.