MU will stop giving gifts to rival teams in season friendly matches – a move that is considered by many to be a measure to cut costs under the dynasty of Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
As usual, clubs often exchange souvenir flags and gifts, such as shirts with rivals, memories, even handmade gifts made for each match. This is considered a goodwill gesture, contributing to creating the relationship between the leadership of the clubs, especially with the teams that rarely have the opportunity to confront the “big” as MU.
However, when MU met Leeds in Stockholm on July 19, only traditional flags, and gifts will not appear. The same situation is expected to occur in the next friendly matches with West Ham, Bournemouth, Everton, and maybe Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9.
Although MU's internal sources claim that this is an effort to “minimize unnecessary rituals”, especially when confronted with domestic rivals, many teams think that this is a method of saving money in the campaign to cut strong costs of Ratcliffe.
Instead of giving gifts, MU will transfer the budget to partnerships, such as a light party plan with Leeds at Stockholm. Under Ineos, MU made many controversial decisions:
- Lay hundreds of employees, close the club
- Reducing funds for Manchester United Foundation
- Ending the role of Sir Alex Ferguson's global ambassador, and cutting the salary of legends Bryan Robson, Andy Cole and Denis Irwin
According to TalkSport, many rival clubs were surprised because MU did not inform, while they had prepared gifts to give MU and still intended to perform this ritual as usual. MU declined to comment when contacted.
