Soccer

SIR ALEX FERGUSON was earning more than five members of Erik ten Hag’s squad as a Manchester United ambassador.The legendary former boss, 82, will no longer be paid for his ambassadorial role beyond the end of this season.Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial role has been slashed by Sir Jim RatcliffeCredit: PAShortly after retiring in 2013, Ferguson inked a deal for a new role worth around £2.16million per year.As part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures, however, the Scot has been removed from his position.The Ineos chief met with Ferguson in person to relay the decision.SunSport understands that the iconic former United manager accepted the news amicably.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs per Capology, Ferguson’s deal had been worth more than those of five Man Utd players.Among those were England regular Kobbie Mainoo, whose contract, inked in January 2023, is said to be worth £20,000 a week, a shade over £1m per year.It was also worth more than deputy goalkeeper Altay Bayindir’s contract, thought to be £35,000 a week, or £1.8m per year.Amad Diallo’s deal is said to be worth £1.5m a year (£28,800 a week), and is set to expire at the end of the season, although United possess the option to extend it by a further 12 months.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSir Alex Ferguson’s trophy haul at Man UtdAll the trophies Sir Alex Ferguson won as Manchester United manager:Premier League x13FA Cup x5League Cup x4Champions League x2European Cuper Winners’ CupEuropean Super CupIntercontinental CupClub World CupMeanwhile, youngsters Dan Gore and Harry Amass are also claimed to be earning in the region of £5,000 a week, £260,000 a year, far less than Ferguson was on.With Sir Alex set to turn 83 on December 31, his Man Utd ambassadorial role is just one of several time-consuming activities he will be stepping back from.Phil Jones reveals how Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to sign for Man Utd This will not affect his ability to attend games, however, as he will always be welcome at Old Trafford – where he remains a regular.Last month, it was revealed he Man Utd would be letting go of 250 employees at the club.The cost-cutting measures come amid news that United’s losses over the last five years have totalled more than £370m.Ineos’ cost-cutting methods have also seen private chauffeurs and company credit cards axed.Staff and the players’ Wags even had to pay for their own transport to the FA Cup final win over rivals Manchester City in May.And other perks like lunch, accommodation, extra tickets and a post-match party were also scrapped.Kobbie Mainoo was among those being out-earned by Sir AlexCredit: GettyWhat we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. More

BENJAMIN MENDY’S Manchester City bonuses have been revealed with their former player earning millions on top of his salary.Mendy launched a legal claim against the champions over £11million in unpaid wages yesterday.Benjamin Mendy’s contract bonuses at Man City have been revealedCredit: GettyThe Frenchman was earning £500,000 a month at City following a £52million move from Monaco in 2017.But the club stopped paying his salary in August 2021 after Mendy was charged with rape and sexual assault.The World Cup winner, who is now at French club Lorient, was eventually found not guilty on all counts following two trials in 2023.And Mendy has now brought forward a claim to an employment tribunal for “unauthorised deductions” from his wages.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut further details of his contract have now emerged in submitted paperwork.As well as his £500,000 a month salary, Mendy, who has made claims about his former Man City team-mates and his sex parties at a tribunal, also received a large number of bonuses.Every time Manchester City qualified for the Champions League, the defender got £1million.And Mendy was also due £900k if he played in over 60 per cent of City’s game.Most read in FootballMeanwhile, his image rights company received an annual payment of £1.2m from the champs.And on top of that, City were also paying a monthly pension contribution which stopped following Mendy’s charges.Mendy now plays for French side LorientCredit: afpA letter was sent to him by the club at the time, which read: “The club has, after careful and anxious consideration, suspended the payment of salary to you. “You will not receive the payment that would otherwise have fallen due at the end of September 2021.“Nor will you receive any further payment until you are ready and able to perform your obligations under the contract of employment.“You are not presently ready and able to perform duties, of course, because you have been remanded in custody and, separately, because The FA has suspended you from engaging in any football-related activity.“Our understanding is that District Judge Garva remanded you in custody because of your conduct whilst already on bail.“Remand, was, therefore, an avoidable impediment to your being able to perform your duties. We understand that a subsequent request to be released on bail was refused. “In those circumstances, the club is no longer obliged to continue to pay you.”Mendy claims under the terms of his contract, the club only had the right to stop his wages for a maximum of six weeks.READ MORE SUN STORIESCity deny breaching employment law and argue Mendy violated his own contract by bringing the club into disrepute and indulging in behaviour which prevented him from playing or training.The club initially continued paying Mendy following his first arrest in November 2020. More