The magic of the FA Cup final might be somewhat diminished for Manchester United staff and WAGs this year, as their usually complimentary and luxurious trips to Wembley are at risk of being cut.

Employees at the troubled club have been informed that there will be no extra tickets available for family members, nor the customary free lunch or transport for the highly-anticipated match against Manchester City on May 25. The club's 1,100 staff members will each receive only one free ticket and are expected to contribute PS20 towards their coach travel to London.

This potential move towards frugality comes amid concerns that new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a multi-billionaire, is initiating cost-saving cuts at Old Trafford, despite Manchester United being among the wealthiest football clubs globally. Manchester United is football's fourth richest club in the world, behind Liverpool, Real Madrid and top dogs Manchester City.

In the past, United has provided top-tier hotel accommodations, thrown exclusive post-match parties, and covered flight costs for players' relatives attending significant fixtures. However, club sources have now indicated that there will be "no official trip" organised for this year's final, leaving families and partners of the players to arrange and finance their own travel. A final decision on the matter "was yet to be made", reports the Mirror.

Manchester United stars including Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, and Casemiro are expected to have their WAGs in the stands supporting them. Maguire, aged 31, will likely need at least eight seats to accommodate his wife Fern, aged 29, their two children, his parents, and his two brothers, who are often seen at major matches.

However, while few will feel sorry for the wealthy footballers having to pay their own way to Wembley, there is a sense of solidarity for the club staff whose salaries pale in comparison. The staff were informed of the decision not to cover their travel costs through a company-wide email, which was justified as an effort to "spend the club's money effectively".

Yet, within a day, the club financed an extravagant outing for the players' partners, complete with luxury Harvey Nichols gift bags, exacerbating the frustration felt by employees. Deloitte reports that United's revenue last year amounted to PS640 million.

However, following the Glazers' takeover, the net debt has escalated to PS710 million. United's financial struggles have been compounded by underwhelming performances on the field, leading to missed chances at securing the lucrative trophies and prize money they once regularly claimed during Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure.

It comes as supporters were left with a leaky Old Trafford roof over the weekend. During the club's recent 1-0 loss to Arsenal, videos emerged showing rainwater gushing through the stadium roof onto spectator seats and flowing down the stands.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, 72, who owns a 25 percent share in Manchester United, purchased for PS1.2 billion, has expressed his ambition to create a new "Wembley of the North" to take the place of Old Trafford. The club has considered the possibility of fitting a new roof, but the expense is significant and it's an undertaking that seems unlikely to proceed while Sir Jim's proposals are under consideration.

Demolishing Old Trafford and erecting a brand-new, cutting-edge stadium on the existing site could run up costs of about PS3 billion. Alternatively, refurbishing the iconic venue is another route, one that would not be as expensive as demolition or as time-consuming as constructing a new facility, with estimates placing the cost at around PS1 billion.