Ahead of Manchester United’s date with fellow Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, head coach Ruben Amorim is being praised by fans for his ‘class act’ after Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS-led team made a brutal decision.
Despite languishing just ahead of the Premier League’s relegation spots, the Red Devils could end their season with silverware after reaching the final of Europe’s second tier competition, beating the likes of Real Sociedad and Lyon in previous rounds.
There have, however, been some behind-the-scenes dismay in the lead-up to locking horns with Tottenham Hotspur – and Amorim, who has come under fire in recent times for his side’s poor performances, has become the man of the moment with his gesture.
Amorim To The Rescue After Ratcliffe Decision
Members of staff were not given free tickets by the club's higher-ups
As a means of continuing their series of cost-cutting measures – which included removing Sir Alex Ferguson from his Club Ambassadorial role – Ratcliffe and his entourage told staff that no free tickets would be available as, instead, the club were favouring match-going supporters.
That came after news emerged that Paris Saint-Germain have stepped forward to pay for all 600 staff to attend the Champions League final in Munich. Inter Milan, too, are providing free tickets for their staff to attend the final on 31 May.
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According to Mark Odgen of EPSN, Amorim – widely regarded as one of the best young managers in world football – has kindly paid for 30 of his backroom staff to take their families to the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao next Wednesday.
That’s after he was informed by the club’s higher-ups that his coaches, physios and various members of his support team would need to dip into their own pockets to pay for tickets should they wish to watch the Red Devils in action in the Basque Country.
Per the aforementioned report, sources told ESPN that Amorim, who arrived at Old Trafford with several members of his Sporting CP staff, was willing to part ways with the money as a 'reward and recognition' for their contribution during a turbulent start to proceedings at the club.
When it was made clear to the Lisbon-born tactician, 41, that Manchester United would not be coughing up tickets for his coaches and staff, he told the powers that be that he would fund the cost to ensure that every member could take up to two friends or family.
Fans Commend Amorim's Classy Gesture
'Something Fergie would’ve done as well'
Often in the face of adversity, Amorim has carried himself with grace and decorum – and the Old Trafford faithful, who have had very little to praise this season, have commended the Portuguese. "Embarrassing for our owners this, class by Amorim," one said as another added: "Class act, my manager."
Insisting that former boss Ferguson – who is commonly admired as one of the greatest football managers of all time – would've taken similar measures to ensure that all parties were treated with decency, another supporter wrote:
"He finally got himself a proper PR team. Well done Amorim. I can respect the kind gesture. Something Fergie would’ve done as well."
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“An incredible gesture from our manager, but he shouldn’t have to do this!” another member of Manchester United's fanbase said, before another insisted that such behaviour can inspire greatness. “Talk about leadership and class! This is the kind of dedication & selflessness that inspires teams to greatness."