MAN UNITED CONFIDENTIAL: Stars hit by scourge of autograph hunters, scouts step up hunt for red-hot Spain striker and plans revealed for further protests against Ineos
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Manchester United are becoming increasingly frustrated with professional hawkers who are haranguing their players to the detriment of genuine fans.
United have been aware of what sources tell Confidential is ‘industrial-scale autograph harvesting’ for some time, with groups waiting for players outside Old Trafford and the club’s Carrington training complex.
They have even been turning up at Stockport station – which United often use for away games in London, like the recent Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham – because they can predict roughly which train the players will be on.
The hawkers arrive with armfuls of shirts or books full of numbers to be signed by the squad, which can then be printed on to replica jerseys. United are particularly concerned about the aggressive attitude towards the players and real supporters, often young fans, who are barged out of the way in the pursuit of profit.
It means players are less likely to stop for genuine autograph hunters which can result in disappointment and ill feeling.
Manchester United are frustrated with professional autograph harvesters who get in the way of genuine fans
Crowd funding for players’ charity
A GoFundMe page has been set up to try and raise the £40,000 Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have cut from the club’s sponsorship of the Association of Former Manchester United Players.
The charity was due to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025, but is now under threat after United withheld two quarterly payments of £10,000 as part of Ratcliffe’s brutal economy drive.
It’s hoped the crowd funding page can fill the gap to support the association which helps former players who didn’t earn the riches of today’s stars to pay for medical bills and even funeral costs.
Trustee and treasurer Jim Elms explained how the association is looking for new sponsors after getting a call from United chief executive Omar Berrada before Christmas.
‘He said we’ve not got the money and we can’t pay you. It’s a dead end at the moment,’ said Elms. ‘This has just come out of the blue, that’s why we can’t really understand it. It would be lovely if we could get some sponsors.
‘Sir Jim Ratcliffe came across at the beginning as though he was going to help and be fantastic, and then it just seems to have dropped completely. We’re so disappointed in him.’
Although coverage of the story has mentioned ex-players like Bryan Robson and Denis Irwin, Confidential understands they have not benefitted from the £2million that has been raised by the AFMUP since 1985, with the money going to players who didn’t enjoy such high-profile and successful careers.
The Manchester United Foundation is also expected to lose some of its funding as part of Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting, with the club also considering slashing the £40,000 it gives annually to the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association.
A crowdfunding campaign has been set up to raise £40,000 for the Association of Former Manchester United Players - after Sir Jim Ratcliffe cut the club's sponsorship
Ruben’s in the Xmas spirit
At least Ruben Amorim entered into the festive spirit by allowing his players to spend the rest of Christmas Day with their families after training in the morning before the game at Wolves.
United boarded the team bus at Carrington on Boxing Day and stayed briefly at a hotel in the West Midlands before completing their journey to Molineux where they suffered a 2-0 defeat.
The players were also allowed to stay at home before arriving at Old Trafford early for Monday’s game – and another defeat – to Newcastle, as has been the policy under Erik ten Hag and Amorim.
In reality, Amorim didn’t have much option but to continue with it after United spent millions reconfiguring the suites in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand to create a space where the players could eat and relax before games.
Ruben Amorim allowed his stars to spend the rest of their Christmas Day off after training
Bitter rivals united
United and Liverpool fans will take the unprecedented step of uniting against their owners when the two clubs meet at Anfield on Sunday – but Confidential understands it is just the first step in what could be a more concerted effort.
United and Everton fans protested over rising ticket at Old Trafford at the start of this month, with Liverpool and Manchester City supporters also joining forces on the same weekend under the banner #stop exploiting loyalty.
United and Liverpool will set aside the most bitter rivalry in English football this weekend in a protest organised by the FC58 and Spirit of Shankly fan groups.
There are already plans to expand the alliance in the New Year with Tottenham, West Ham and Ipswich among the other clubs aiming to come on board with the north-west quartet.
‘There seems to be quite a few of us now getting involved and we’re planning a meeting early in the New Year,’ said a spokesman for FC58. ‘Sometimes going outside the jurisdiction of the Football Supporters’ Association can be more impactful.
‘Club fanbases are wanting to come together as voice against anything wrong with football, and there’s plenty of it at the moment.
‘United and Liverpool have overcome the first step of being bitter rivals because we’ve realised we won’t have that rivalry if things carry on as they are.’
United and Liverpool fans will protest ticket prices under the #StopExploitingLoyalty banner
Scouts on Samu trail
United had scouts at FC Porto’s win over Boavista at the weekend as they continue to assess what – if any – transfer business can be done in January.
Confidential believes United were watching striker Samu Aghehowa who scored twice in Porto’s 4-0 win. The Spain international was set to join Chelsea from Atletico Madrid for £35m in the summer before the move collapsed over personal terms and issues with his medical, so he moved to Porto instead. He has now scored 18 goals in 19 games this season.
United are also tracking Porto’s left-back Francisco Moura, although he didn’t play against Boavista. The No.1 target at left wing-back is still believed to be Nuno Mendes, who played for Amorim for two years at Sporting Lisbon. Mendes is at Paris Saint-Germain who want to extend his contract but may be willing to sell the 22-year-old player if he is reluctant to re-sign.
Scouts took in Porto striker Samu Aghehowa's two-goal performance against Boavista
Dalot’s all heart
Christmas Eve is considered more important than Christmas Day in Portugal, so even greater credit to Diogo Dalot and his wife Claudia Lopez for helping out at a homeless shelter in Manchester.
The couple turned up at Lifeshare’s Christmas project on Christmas Eve with donations of food and clothes, and spent the morning helping to prepare meals, serve refreshments, talk to Lifeshare’s guests and spend time with the other volunteers.
The charity supports homeless and vulnerable people in Manchester and Salford. Dalot, who also arranged tickets for the Newcastle game for some of the volunteers, said: ‘Manchester is a city with a strong sense of community and compassion. I have lived here for over six years now and I’m proud to call this city my home.’
Diogo Dalot helped out at a homeless shelter on Christmas Eve alongside his wife
Scanlon attracts loan interest
With the January transfer window opening on Wednesday, conversations are intensifying about incomings and outgoings at United.
Cash-strapped amid major budget cuts, little is expected on the incoming front but there are a number of their academy products that are attracting lots of loan interest.
Harry Amass, as previously revealed by Confidential, is one of them and so is 18-year-old James Scanlon.
The Gibraltar international has thrived the past few seasons for the club’s U18s side and it’s understood that a handful of clubs in the Championship are weighing up a loan move in this winter window.
Scanlon’s international pedigree, as well as his ability to play centrally or out wide, makes him an attractive prospect to clubs eager to give their attack a shot in the arm for the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.
It is understood that both United and the player’s side are open to a move provided it’s a natural fit for Scanlon and he can get the game-time needed to develop further.
James Scanlon (right), 18, could be loaned out in January to gain much-needed experience
Gabriel eyes U18s debut
Speaking of the academy, it is noteworthy that 14-year-old JJ Gabriel returned from a spell out injured to train with the U18s in his first session back.
Gabriel is seen as one of the players at Carrington with the highest ceiling and there is growing belief that he could be handed his U18 debut before the end of the season.
Confidential detailed earlier in the season how he was set to become a permanent member of the U18s training group. After returning from a shoulder problem, all eyes are now on when the 14-year-old is thrown in for his debut at that level. ‘Just patiently waiting for my turn,’ read a recent Instagram post from the youngster.
Gabriel, nicknamed ‘Kid Messi’, has routinely played well above his age level, but there is also a desire not to go for too much too soon.
The U18s are targeting a deep run in the FA Youth Cup and are currently top of the U18 Premier League with a perfect 10 wins from 10 games so far.
