Bruno Fernandes’ offer to pay for staff perks for last season’s FA Cup final was rejected by Manchester United’s hierarchy, according to reports.
Erik ten Hag’s side beat Manchester City in May with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo sealing a 2-1 victory at Wembley.
However, in the build-up to the final, staff were left dismayed after INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting saw the removal of several employee benefits for the game.
For previous finals, United’s staff members had received multiple tickets for friends and family, food and accommodation, plus travel to the stadium.
However, those benefits were scrapped, with all staff members and directors gifted just one ticket, while they were also required to pay for their own transport – a £20 return fare – for a coach to Wembley.
According to The Athletic, Fernandes was ‘taken aback’ by United’s cost-cutting measure for the final and offered to pay for the staff benefits out of his own pocket.
But the report claims that United’s board rejected Fernandes’ proposal.
United currently sit 13th in the Premier League following their 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim’s side travel to face Wolves on Boxing Day and the Portuguese admits his side are in a ‘very difficult moment’ after their latest loss was greeted with boos by supporters at Old Trafford.
When asked how a club of United’s size can find themselves so low in the Premier League table, Amorim said on Tuesday: ‘That’s a difficult question to answer and we have to know that don’t let this become normal.
‘I understand that it’s a tough moment, and it’s on me.
‘Since the first day that I arrived, it’s on me because I’m responsible for the team, so we cannot think about that.
‘We just have to think about improving, to understand the context and not focus on what happened in the past. The present is this. What we have to do for the future to not happen again.
‘If I knew I will solve all the problems of this club, even this [leaking roof].
‘I know what I’m going to do. That is so clear for me. That’s why I feel so, I will not say relaxed because I’m really frustrated, also like the fans, but I know what to do.
‘But then we have to solve some problems step by step, finding answers for everything. But it’s a very difficult moment. We understand the fans and we will fight that.’
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