Nothing is sacred for Man Utd! Sir Jim Ratcliffe & INEOS come up with bizarre new cost-cutting measure ahead of pre-season

Although the exchange of club pennants will continue, United have opted out of the more elaborate gift-giving custom, according to talkSport. The move will first be implemented when the Red Devils meets Leeds United in a friendly in Stockholm on July 19. Moreover, United’s upcoming fixtures against Premier League clubs West Ham, Bournemouth, and Everton as part of the Summer Series are also expected to proceed without any ceremonial gifting.

Instead of distributing gifts, United now intend to invest that portion of their pre-season budget into hospitality. This new direction will debut in Stockholm with a formal drinks reception for Leeds executives. Club insiders argue that such events are more meaningful for relationship-building than the exchange of physical items, especially with sides they regularly encounter during the season.

While United maintain that the move is not financially motivated, many observers see it as part of a broader strategy to trim expenses. Under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stewardship, there has already been several significant budget adjustments, which include the termination of club legend Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial contract, reductions in salaries for icons like Bryan Robson, Andy Cole, and Denis Irwin, closure of the staff canteen and laying off hundreds of employees.

Ratcliffe’s personal investment of £220 million ($299m) was aimed at rejuvenating the Red Devils, but he has made it clear that stabilising the financial situation takes precedence. Cost-saving measures, no matter how symbolic, such as cutting out pre-season gifts, could be interpreted as part of this bigger push to shift club culture, especially after incurring more than £300m ($408m) in losses over the past three years.

Several of their summer opponents, including Leeds, were reportedly surprised by the change. Some clubs had already prepared their own gifts for United, in line with what is typically expected in such friendlies. The lack of reciprocal exchange has left some feeling blindsided.