Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has made a classy gesture to his backroom staff ahead of the Europa League final
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Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim assured his staff members that he would personally pay for their tickets for Europa League final
(Image: Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim has personally purchased Europa League final tickets for his staff, in a move that counters Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cost-saving measures at Manchester United.
The Reds are set to face Tottenham in Bilbao on May 21, competing for much-needed silverware and a spot in next season's Champions League.
While 15,000 United supporters will be present at the San Mames stadium next Wednesday, many of Amorim's support staff's family and friends were expected to miss out.
Ratcliffe's tenure as club owner since last February has been overshadowed by unpopularity due to his cost-cutting approach and job reductions, which have demoralised staff. Despite this, the billionaire remains steadfast in his mission to rectify the club's financial situation, informing staff there would be no free tickets for United's most crucial match of the season.
According to ESPN, Amorim's coaching team, physiotherapists, and other support staff were informed they would need to purchase their own tickets for family and friends. The official justification was to ensure the maximum number of United's ticket allocation went to fans.
However, Amorim chose to intervene and counteract Ratcliffe's decision, promptly assuring 30 of his staff members that he would personally cover the cost of their tickets. The United head coach, who has had a largely challenging first six months at the helm, wishes to show appreciation for his team.
Amorim has moved several members of his Sporting Clube de Portugal team to Manchester, emphasising the need for unity as they approach a crucial summer period.
Despite acknowledging that his team might be "may be the worst" in the 147-year history of United, the 40-year-old manager believes that securing a win against Spurs could positively shift perspectives.
Players at United have been given only two tickets each, indicating that those relatives and friends who do attend will have to foot their own bills, as Ineos is not covering travel expenses.
This aligns with the consistently austere approach during Ratcliffe's tenure; with reports suggesting that a barbeque is being favoured over a parade, should victory be secured in Bilbao.
Ratcliffe, whose net worth is listed at £12.3 billion by Forbes, has garnered attention for enacting what he perceives to be tough yet necessary cost-cutting measures at the club, including scrapping the Christmas festivities, lessening ticket benefits for the FA Cup final, and laying off staff.
Following United's disheartening 2-0 loss to West Ham on Sunday that left them languishing in 16th place, the traditional season-closing celebration at Old Trafford has been axed.
Although some argue that this reflects the poor on-field performances rather than a cost-saving measure, it is nonetheless seen as demonstrative of Ratcliffe's penny-wise managerial ethos.
"Manchester United has become mediocre," Ratcliffe stated earlier in the season. "It is supposed to be one of the best football clubs in the world. We have to make some difficult and unpopular decisions. If you shy away from the difficult decisions, then nothing much is going to change.
"I know we get criticism in the press, but we do need to challenge the cost of running this club because what I want to be free for us to do is buy really good footballers, not spend so much of the money on infrastructure. We can't run a business at a loss, which is where United have been in the last couple of years."
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