How Ferguson’s Man United ambassadorial wage stacks as much as squad

Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly earned a higher salary than three current Manchester United first-team players while at the club in an ambassadorial role.

It was reported on Tuesday morning that United minority owners INEOS have decided to end Ferguson’s multi-million-pound contract as a global club ambassador and club director.

Ferguson took up the role after stepping down as manager in 2013 following a glittering 26-year reign in charge at Old Trafford.

He reportedly received £2.16million-a-year to serve as a global ambassador for the club in an agreement which had continued for over a decade.

His salary at the club works out at just under £40,000 a week, which is reportedly double the weekly wage of United’s rising star, Kobbie Mainoo.

Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly earned £2.16m-a-year to serve as a an ambassador at Man United

Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) has reportedly axed the agreement with Ferguson to cut the club’s costs

Ferguson was reportedly on double what United’s star midfiedler Kobbie Mainoo earns in a year

The midfielder is the squad’s lowest earner, making just over £1m per year, despite his superb breakthrough last season.

Mainoo’s current contract began in February 2023. Since then, he has become a mainstay in Erik ten Hag’s midfield, making 44 appearances for the club in all competitions since the start of last season.

Records also suggest that Ferguson also earned more than both Amad Diallo and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, while working as ambassador.

Diallo, who has broken into the starting line-up this season, makes £29,000 per week while Bayinder earns £35,000.

However, Ferguson’s salary works out to be 10.7 per cent of Bruno Fernandes’ annual income at United, which stands at a staggering £19.5m.

The United captain is the highest earner at £375,000, after penning a new three-year deal in August.

Bruno Fernandes (left) is United’s top earner making £19.5m per year while Casemiro (right) is on the second-highest salary

Ratcliffe and INEOS are now no longer prepared to continue the payments to Ferguson

Casemiro is not far behind him, despite his struggles, making a hefty £350,000 a week, which totals to £18.2m per year. 

Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount can also be considered high earners at the club with salaries of £300,000 and £250,000 respectively.

Overall, Ferguson’s salary while working as an ambassador at the club was just 0.3 per cent of the clubs annual revenue of £662m.

However, the Athletic claim Sir Jim Ratcliffe had told Ferguson that the club are not longer prepared to continue the payments as they seek to reduce costs.

The ending of the agreement was claimed to have been dealt with amicably, with Ferguson remaining as a non-executive director and welcome to attend matches.

Antony makes over £10m per year despite his struggles since arriving in Manchester in 2022

INEOS embarked upon a root-and-branch financial review after taking a quarter stake in the club earlier this year. Mail Sport revealed this led to them making around 250 redundancies.

However, players such as Antony, who has 17 goal contributions in 86 appearances at United, make £10.4m per year.