Gary Neville has labelled Manchester United’s new club-wide salary cap as “radical” and is worried that it could turn off potential targets in the transfer market.
With the January transfer window underway and United having already secured the services of Jack Butland as their back-up goalkeeper, they are now said to be looking at bolstering their attacking options following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, as per reports by the MailOnline, manager Erik ten Hag is apparently implementing a £200k-a-week wage cap, with no current or future player allowed to earn beyond this threshold.
Responding to the news, the club legend turned pundit and Salford City owner suggested the move is a rather severe step and one that could rule out big signings.
Not sure why any radical new policy is being introduced IF new owners are imminent https://t.co/aI7EzmoOTk
As detailed in the piece, the following players who are currently on over £200k-a-week are reportedly set to take pay cuts in the coming weeks, with long-time servant David de Gea the first to face a reduction:
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David de Gea – £375k
Jadon Sancho – £350k
Raphael Varane – £340k
Casemiro – £300k
Anthony Martial – £250k
Bruno Fernandes – £240k
Neville goes on to argue that not only does the wage cap — not unlike that in place at the likes of Spurs (Harry Kane the highest-earner on £200k) — mean that they could lose out on big names like Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, but it hints that the Glazers aren’t as close to selling as fans would hope.
While ten Hag’s aim is clearly to garner further solidarity by eliminating financial rifts between players, especially given various members of the current squad were acquired under different regimes, the former United and England right-back believes it will take them out of the running for marquee signings.
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Capping wages is a radical policy. Rules out Rice , Bellingham and others in that bracket. Any new owners would probably want to enter the running for these types and probably Mbappe as well. Anyway enjoy Sunday https://t.co/tnHZMEc3zH
Responding to a commenter who argued that this kind of system should have already been in place regardless of the current ownership, the 47-year-old went on to note that neighbours Man City had a similar system in place until the prospect of generational talents like Erling Haaland became available.
He also warned that it could prove a ‘strange’ and problematic policy having multiple key players like de Gea, Casemiro and Raphael Varane on more than £200k in the current dressing room, who will now have to accept a pay decrease should they want to stay at the club.
On the other hand, it seems clear that the Dutch coach wants to avoid future CR7-esque situations in the future, i.e. when a spiralling and already volatile budget fluctuates depending on the flavour of the month/inflated market and ultimately disturbs the overall equilibrium within the camp.
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More importantly, speaking in a recent interview, the former Ajax man reiterated that cost doesn’t always correlate with quality:
Ten Hag: “Most purchases have been average – and at #mufc average is not good enough. United's shirt weighs heavily. Only real personalities, who can perform under great pressure, can play here.”
For now, at least, the rationale seems to be that United’s salary restructuring signals a desire from ten Hag to be shrewder and more strategic when it comes to new signings, rather than simply paying the premium when a player’s stock skyrockets.
The United wage cap is long overdue in the eyes of many fans, with one person remarking that “too many players are being paid way too much for what they’ve delivered”, adding that “ten Hag doing a great job and improving players and the culture around the club.”
On the other hand, many noted that if this new limit is set to be introduced, it will likely be a base rate with players still able to earn beyond that sum through appearance and goal bonuses etc.
What do you think, good or bad idea? Either way, ten Hag certainly looks to be putting his foot down.
Featured Image — Gary Neville (via Sky Sports)/ Man United (via Twitter)
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Manchester City finally release special Year of the Horse collection for Lunar celebrations
Danny Jones
Manchester City have officially launched their new ‘Year of the Horse’ kit, along with several other items in their latest lifestyle range.
The collection, which has been released as part of the Lunar New Year Celebrations, was leaked online in late 2025 before being officially teased earlier this year, but now Man City have fully unveiled the limited edition clothing items.
It follows the commercial success of their previous Chinese New Year-inspired kits and wider fashion lines over the last few seasons.
For anyone not up to speed on their Zodiac calendar knowledge, 2026 is officially (you guessed it) the year of the horse, hence this choice for the new ‘Capsule Collection’.
“Set in earthy, neutral tones, the limited-edition Year of the Horse Capsule Collection captures both the stillness of vintage Chinese portraiture and the motion of a team in full stride.”
Revolving around a grey and almost beige colour palette, the full drop includes a new pre-match ‘Anthem’ jacket, a dark graphic design tee, a baseball cap, as well as a soft horse plushie.
The focal point, however, is obviously the jersey itself – though it remains to be confirmed whether or not the special seasonal strip will be worn in any games this campaign as other one-off/special limited edition shirts have been in the past.
The price points range from £15 for the soft toy to £90 for the adult shirt, with the aforementioned Puma KING Anthem zip-up jacket already available in six colours.
What do you make of the latest lifestyle collection, Blues?
Somewhat fittingly, the Year of the Horse and other items finally debuted on the same day that their local rivals across the other side of town, Manchester United, released some new threads of their own: the second Adidas x The Stone Roses collection.
As for this years Lunar celebrations, the official plans for here in Manchester city centre have now been revealed. You can find out more down below.
Stockport County confirm signing of new striker Adama Sidibeh
Danny Jones
Stockport County Football Club have officially unveiled the signing of new striker, Adama Sidibeh, from St Johnstone FC.
This comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether or not the deal for the forward was going to be done, despite his medical having already been passed.
Sidibeh was linked with a move from the Scottish Premiership quite early in the January transfer window, and the transfer fee had already reportedly been agreed, but there was apparently to be some contention over personal terms.
However, it seems the impasse has now been overcome and a full agreement reached, with the Hatters finally announcing the completion of his deal on Tuesday, 27 January.
As you can see, the Gambian international is no stranger to England nor the North West, having moved back to the UK to be with his family in 2022, before going on to join local Stockport club Cheadle Heath Nomads in 2022.
Moving on to nearby Cheshire outfit Warrington Rylands FC the following season, he continued to prove himself as a quick and consistent goal threat, ultimately sealing a switch to The Saints in 2024.
Sidibeh’s transfer fee from St Johnstone to SCFC remains undisclosed.
Penning a two-and-a-half-year contract, the latest County recruit is the third signing of the January transfer window so far, following the most recent arrival of Josh Dacres-Cogley from Bolton Wanderers earlier this month.
Having been given the number 26, he is the latest offensive reinforcement at Edgeley Park as they look to enjoy a fairly ‘aggressive’ window, as promised.
Speaking on his new home in a club statement, the 27-year-old said: “I’m so excited to be [sitting] here now as a Stockport County player.
“It’s a town and a club I already know so well from my time at Nomads, which made it an easy decision for me and my family to come here once we heard that County were interested.
“I can’t wait to get going now, to start my career in the Football League and to play in front of 10,000 fans at Edgeley Park. I’ve worked very hard to get to this place in my career since moving to England, and will work even harder now I’m here to help the team as we go for promotion.”
As for his new manager, Dave Challinor made it clear they were keen to capitalise on his contract running out, adding that apart from being a bit of a late bloomer in pro football, “he’s a real hard worker that provides real intensity in his press. and really wants to threaten defenders both in and out of possession.”
“He’s scored all types of goals at every level he’s played at, but this will, without doubt, be a step up for him” – it just remains to be seen how he’ll take to the League One and wider EFL challenge.
Danny Jones -
10th January 2023 
