Manchester United, an English football club, has cancelled their traditional end-of-season awards banquet following a dismal campaign.
According to The Athletic, the club stated that they do not want any distractions ahead of the FA Cup final versus Manchester City.
At the end of the season, the club traditionally hosts a dinner at their Old Trafford stadium to bestow prizes such as the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award and acknowledgement for new talent who has broken through the ranks.
The men’s and women’s first teams, as well as academy players, coaching staff, club personnel, supporters, and sponsors, all attend the award dinner.
United, on the other hand, have had a dismal season, leaving manager Erik Ten Hag concerned about his job security.
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The club was eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage before Christmas.
They are seventh in the Premier League rankings, having lost fourteen games, and are vying for a spot in the Europa League or Europa Conference League.
United are yet to meet neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup final at the end of the month, and if they win, it will be their solitary success this season.
According to the club, United’s dinner for this year was originally slated for May 20, the week before the final against City on May 25.
But The Athletic reports that following consultation with Ten Hag and the football leadership team, “it has been decided that the players should not have any distractions in the week of the game.”
“The players will still receive awards voted by their peers, coaches and fans but there will not be an awards dinner.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli