The Times:
Manchester United fear that they will be dragged into an auction with Chelsea and Real Madrid in their pursuit of Mahamadou Diarra and Javier Mascherano, their two leading candidates to fill the void left by Roy Keane, so perhaps that is one reason why they appear so desperate to make cutbacks under the Glazer regime that some of their younger players and even directors were forced to pay to watch last month's Carling Cup triumph.
United had already been embarrassed by the revelation that 400 staff members had been told that they must pay to watch the match against Wigan Athletic at the Millennium Stadium, but now it has emerged that repercussions of the cost-cutting reached the dressing-room and even the boardroom, with players and directors told that they must pay up to £72 for tickets.
The revelation presents an uncomfortable scenario at Old Trafford, not least given the implications for some of the youngsters who helped United to reach the final, which they won 4-0. Sir Alex Ferguson had already been criticised for reverting to his more senior players once it became clear that the competition represented their best chance of a trophy this season, but the fact that a player such as Richard Jones had to pay for tickets for himself and his family, having made three appearances in the earlier rounds, must have added insult to injury.
The Football League gave United 100 free tickets to distribute among the playing and coaching staff, with senior players receiving an allocation of three each for their families, while it is understood that another 30 tickets were offered to directors and their guests.
United officials say that, in previous years, the club would have financed the purchase of a large number of additional tickets for staff at all levels of the club — not least their young players — but on this occasion it seems there was a distinct lack of largesse.
The Guardian:
Manchester United have risked seriously offending Sir Matt Busby's family by overlooking them for guest tickets for the Carling Cup final in favour of the club's sponsors. Busby's relatives have kept their counsel, anxious not to damage their relationship with the club, but people close to them have made it clear they are distinctly unimpressed and, at worst, downright angry.
The
The revelations will intensely embarrass United only 24 hours after it transpired that several players who had helped Sir Alex Ferguson's team reach the final had to pay £72 for their own ticket. A new edict by the Glazer family meant some fringe players, directors, scouts, coaches and senior staff losing what was previously seen as a perk. One of those players, Richie Jones, was involved in three matches leading to the final.
United are expecting a barrage of criticism from fans over the latest disclosures. Ferguson, for one, has always been keen to make Busby's relatives feel a part of the modern-day United. Sandy Busby is still a regular visitor to Old Trafford, where he traditionally presents a player-of-the-year award named in honour of his father. Busby's granddaughter Janey Gibson read a lesson at George Best's memorial service in Manchester on Thursday.
Ferguson was away yesterday, attending Jimmy Johnstone's funeral, and his No2 Carlos Queiroz deflected questions -"It relates to club policy, so you will have to ask the club." Sandy Busby would not comment.