Sir Jim Ratcliffe's latest money-making scheme? Man Utd women to play in lucrative seven-a-side tournament despite overload fears

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be hoping Manchester United can come out on top in the tournament as the winners will pocket a cool £1.9 million in prize money. To put that into perspective, it's more than double what the winners of this season's Women's Champions League will receive (£950,000) and more than United will pocket if they beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final (£814,000), according to The Telegraph.

There will be eight teams taking part in the invitational World Sevens Football tournament, with United tipped to feature along with Bayern Munich. The Red Devils are also expected to take a strong team out to Portugal despite concerns over player welfare and the competition falling amid a congested schedule. After a busy 2024-25 season, there is more football on the agenda in the summer as the European Championship will take place in Switzerland.

Ratcliffe has been criticised for his treatment of the women's side since taking a minority stake in Manchester United. The 72-year-old has made it clear the men's team is his priority and missed out on seeing the women's team lift the FA Cup last season at Wembley by going to watch the men's team in action instead.

The new tournament is scheduled to take place between May 21 to 23, just five days after the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea.