Manchester United are reportedly set to pay their non-playing staff in full amid the coronavirus pandemic, and will avoid the furlough scheme controversially used by Liverpool and Tottenham.
United are expected to follow neighbours City in announcing they will not be using the Government’s job retention scheme to pay employees while they are unable to work amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Instead, the Red Devils will continue to pay staff in full, and according to reports will seek out ways the club’s employees can help the UK’s efforts to combat the killer virus through volunteering.
Critics have rounded on Liverpool and Tottenham after it emerged they were among five Premier League clubs planning to furlough non-playing employees during the coronavirus crisis that has brought football to a standstill.
The scheme – which will also be used by Newcastle, Norwich and Bournemouth – will see workers paid up to 80% of their salaries using taxpayers’ cash.
(Image: PA)
Liverpool have announced they will pay the shortfall so that employees continue to receive their salaries in full.
But the furlough clubs have been criticised by former players for using taxpayers’ money while first-team stars on multi-million pound contracts continue to be paid in full.
City confirmed on Sunday that they would not be furloughing employees, and United are set to follow suit, according to the Daily Mail.
The publication said United will not ask for Government cash, and will instead pay employees in full and explore opportunities for them to volunteer which could help the nation’s efforts to fight the spread of coronavirus.
(Image: EMPICS Sport)
United had already pledged to pay their matchday staff for the rest of the season, which is currently suspended.
City confirmed on Sunday that they had decided not to use the furlough scheme at the end of last week.
A statement read: “We can confirm, following a decision by the chairman and board last week, that Manchester City will not be utilising the UK Government’s coronavirus job retention scheme (government funded furloughing).
“We remain determined to protect our people, their jobs and our business whilst at the same time doing what we can to support our wider community at this most challenging time for everybody.”
