Manchester United are set to drop the tradition of exchanging gifts during their pre-season fixtures, according to talkSPORT.
While some rival clubs view the decision as a cost-saving tactic, United sources claim it’s part of a broader effort to move away from what they see as outdated formalities—particularly when playing fellow English clubs.
Typically, clubs swap pennants and symbolic gifts—like personalised shirts or specially made memorabilia—before pre-season friendlies. However, United won’t be offering gifts during their upcoming match against Leeds United on July 19 in Stockholm. The same approach is expected for their Premier League Summer Series games against West Ham, Bournemouth, and Everton. Whether they’ll maintain this stance when facing Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9 remains uncertain.
These gifts are often seen as valuable keepsakes, especially for clubs who rarely play against global names like Manchester United. The exchange also serves as a goodwill gesture that strengthens relationships between club executives, often taking place publicly before kickoff.
Instead of giving gifts, United plan to host opposing officials at informal events—such as a drinks reception with Leeds representatives in Stockholm.
Since United already played Leeds last summer in Oslo and will face them again in the Premier League, insiders believe exchanging gifts with familiar rivals is unnecessary and outdated.
Although the club maintains that the shift isn’t financially motivated, it comes amid a wave of budget cuts under INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Recent cost-cutting measures include job redundancies and the closure of the staff canteen.
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