In previous FA Cup finals, all 1,100 United employees received free tickets, and senior staff and directors could bring friends and family along. This included last year’s final, against the same opposition. Senior staff members not only got a free ticket but also had their travel to and from Wembley arranged, as well as a pre-match party, post-match lunch, and hotel accommodation in London – all at no cost.
United employees have been informed they must fork out £20 for coach travel to and from Wembley, while a one-way ticket will cost them £10. Some within the club see this as cost-cutting measures by Ratcliffe, who bought his stake in the Red Devils just before the year’s end. The British billionaire is thought to be desperate to make sure that Man Utd keeps its finances in check, operating within profit and sustainability guidelines.
In recognition of your ongoing support this season, we will organise a colleague trip to Wembley for the final on 25 May. This year, the trip will be a little different. We will still provide you with a complimentary ticket to the game.
However, we’ll ask you to contribute towards coach travel, and lunch will not be provided. “We hope that this year’s trip balances the opportunity for you to go to Wembley to support our players while also ensuring we can invest as much as possible into the club over the coming months to achieve our goal of returning Manchester United back to the top of English, European and world football.”
