Kieran Maguire: Man United desperate to scrap the FA Cup after official update
Man United are desperate to scrap the FA Cup and reduce the role of the national team in English football.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the challenges faced by new FA chair Debbie Hewitt.
Hewitt, who is the first female chair of the organisation, was named as Greg Clarke’s successor over the summer.
The Daily Mail reported on 25 October that she is aware of several issues between the FA and the chairmen of Premier League clubs.
Maguire argues that United will lobby Hewitt and the FA to dial back on some of its “age-old traditions”
He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “Her focus will be on trying to get some form of consensus about priorities.
“The FA’s focus is on grassroots football and the national team. The Man United owners have no interest in the national team.
“It’s just an inconvenience for them because it takes their players away. They’d rather scrap the team and play more lucrative exhibition matches.
“There is a tension there, and that will form the basis of what happens going forwards.
“The big clubs aren’t interested in the FA Cup either. I think the FA Cup will move to a mid-week competition, apart from the third round.
“Debbie Hewit will have a challenge on her hands because everything is chipping away at the age-old tradition of the FA Cup.
“You have to remember that we’ll have an expanded Champions League as well.
“United are one team who would like some of those matches to take place on the weekend because it’s more lucrative.”
In other news, pundit tips Man United to end Paul Pogba talks after “shocking” development.