-Credit:PA
Association of Former Manchester United Players (AFMUP) trustee Jim Elms has called United’s decision to reduce funding “disgraceful” and disclosed the details of his conversation with Omar Berrada.
The latest in a whole host of cost-cutting measures made made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe saw the club stop their £40,000-a-year donation to AFMUP, a charity set up to support players from previous eras before the wealth of the Premier League.
Elms had a phone call with Omar Berrada before Christmas as the United chief executive explained the decision.
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“I had the phone call with him two weeks ago and he explained they were not giving us anymore money at the moment,” Elms said. “He said ‘I can’t see anything changing but I will make a phone call with you in January to put you in the picture’.”
“I was chasing the money (before discovering funding had been cut) and they kept saying sorry we can’t send it. They said they were losing money.”
Elms went on to explain the vital work the charity does and how it helps former players and their families.
“We help them with their expenses for their homes, if one of them has died we help their wives and families,” he added.
A club source said United “greatly appreciates” the role played by AFMUP in maintaining relationships between former players and plans to continue working with them, supporting their events, and participating in their activities. However, the decision to axe the £40,000-a-year funding was made because the club continues to make significant losses.
The source added: “Our focus is on putting the club back on a sustainable financial footing so that we are in a position to invest in our priorities of achieving success on the pitch, and renewing our infrastructure.”