Manchester United have begged cross-city rivals Manchester City for a lift to France for 2024 Ballon d’Or Ceremony.
In a sarcastic report shared by The Mail, United reportedly approached City and asked for a lift for two of their 2024 Ballon d’Or Award hopefuls – Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
The two youngsters have been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or Golden Boy Award meant for top-performing young players under the age of 21.
Sources close to the club reveal United, under the cost-cutting regime of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, dismissed plans to transport Garnacho and Mainoo to the event in France on October 28, 2024, on a separate flight.
To minimize cost and reduce overhead, they approached their neighbours Manchester City for assistance. Unlike United’s only two nominees for the Ballon d’Or award, City has seven players – Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Rodrigo, Erling Haaland, Yui Hasegawa, Khadija Shaw, and Lauren Hemp – nominated for the award.
The Premier League Champions had reportedly made provisions for a chartered flight to convey all the nominees’ to Paris for the event. United wanted Mainoo and Garnacho to join the flight to cut cost.
Unfortunately for them, it has been confirmed Manchester City have rejected the plea as they consider it not a good sight onboarding the two players.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and cost-cutting measures at Manchester United
Futballnews understands Manchester United’s decision to only ferry Garnacho and Mainoo to Paris via borrowed flight is due to new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures.
While the INEOS Chief has postured towards improving efficiency and overall functioning of the club with the austere exercise, analysts believe opting for a borrowed flight for their Ballon d’Or nominees’ can mar the club’s reputation.
Having the two young players fly the flag of the Old Trafford outfit in the prestigious football award ceremony is a great achievement. And making adequate transportation arrangement shouldn’t be an option but a priority no matter the numbers.
For United fans, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe has the best intentions for the club, certain decisions has to be effectively scrutinized before implementation.
Meanwhile, it is not the first time the UK billionaire has taken an unpopular decision with his ongoing cost-cutting measures. Recently, he made a rather shocking but bold move to relieve the club’s legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson of his 2million-a-year ambassadorial contract that has been running for over a decade since 2013.
The decision to sack Ferguson came as a shock due to the Scott’s earned influence and place in the club’s history. However, for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team, as long as it minimizes overhead cost, it was rational and necessary.
At the time of filing this report, it hasn’t yet been confirmed how Manchester United will ferry Garnacho and Mainoo to the Ballon d’Or. However, there are suggestions the club will go back to the drawing board to find a solution after being turned down by City.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or Award will be held on Monday, October 28, 2024. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has been tipped as favorite to win the Men’s Player of the Year Award while Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal leads list of contenders for the Golden Boy Award.
