Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has reportedly asked his club team-mates to donate 30% of their wages to charity amid the coronavirus crisis.
England international Maguire sent a message to the rest of the United squad, suggesting they make a generous group donation to Manchester hospitals.
United stars have agreed to forgo 30% of their wages for one month, as long as the money is used to benefit hospitals and health centres throughout Manchester, according to the Daily Mail.
The players overwhelmingly supported Maguire’s plans to make a donation and millions will be pumped into the NHS as a result.
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Maguire held extensive talks with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about the players’ donation during a time where Premier League clubs have been put under pressure to act.
There have been calls for players to take paycuts but United – one of the richest clubs on the planet – do not want their staff to do so, however, they are onboard with plans for charitable donations.
Health Minister Matt Hancock had criticised Premier League players for not ‘doing their bit’ causing a public backlash against stars who were not volunteering pay cuts.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) publicly declared in a statement that pay cuts would not be accepted, suggesting instead players would take deferrals.
The PFA also criticised clubs for putting non-playing staff on furlough schemes when they could afford to pay them.
Many in football feel players are an easy target and, according to The Mirror, many have already made huge donations – up to six figures – without wanting publicity.
But Maguire wants United players to take a stand together and lead the way.
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