Manchester United and Manchester City have made it clear that they are against the Premier League's plans to implement a salary cap ahead of captains from all 20 top flight clubs holding discussions with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) next week, according to The Times.
The Red Devils and Sky Blues - under the stewardship of head coaches Ruben Amorim and Pep Guardiola respectively - do not want to risk finding themselves in breach of new rules, leading to influential figures at Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium making their stance clear.
Fernandes and Silva Set to be Involved in Discussions
bruno fernandes man utd
Manchester United and Manchester City are opposed to the Premier League putting a salary cap in place, according to The Times, while the PFA has also threatened legal action should a vote go in favour of implementing the policy after already gaining support from senior players and high-ranking agents.
The Red Devils' wage bill surpasses £159million on a yearly basis, while the Sky Blues' is even higher as they fork out more than £220million every 12 months, and they do not want to have a limit on the amount they can pay members of their squad thanks to fresh guidelines that could be implemented.
The Times has revealed that the PFA is scheduled to meet with the captains of all 20 top flight captains next week, which will include Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City leader Bernardo Silva, before a vote on introducing a salary cap - also known as anchoring - at the next Premier League shareholders' meeting on November 21.
Carrying out the controversial changes would result in limiting spending to five times the amount paid by the Premier League in prize money and broadcast revenue to the club which finishes bottom of the standings.
Title-chasing Arsenal were among the 16 sides who voted in favour of exploring the introduction of a salary cap when outfits first voted on the issue last year, The Times has claimed, but the PFA are looking to stop the alteration being made and have held conversations with senior members of the England squad while on international duty.
Maheta Molango, who is chief executive of the players' union, has warned that anchoring would immediately put Premier League clubs in breach of rules - leading to them having to reduce spending - while he told The Times that clubs who view the changes as a clear restriction of trade will also take action.