Moyes Cancels Club Affiliations
Just days after Manchester United announced Hull City as a new club affiliation, as a result of Malcolm Glazer's cancellation in the deal with Belgian side Antwerp, David Moyes has decided to cancel more affiliations personally. Malcolm Glazer gave Moyes the opportunity to cancel any he felt wouldn't help the club in the future, after recently signing a new long term contract.
Desportivo Brasil, a small side who play in Brazil, also affiliated with FC Twente, were the first to be notified. With the affiliation, Desportivo Brasil could send any of their players on loan to Manchester to help gain experience. However, Moyes felt the players would not get the game time or benefit from the training, so cancelled the deal. The next team were Curzon Ashton, who play non-league football. The deal between the two sides was to play a friendly each year. However, due to difficulties a friendly is yet to be played, resulting in the cancellation of the deal.
Bury, who play in the nPower League One, were also let go by the club. Manchester United would be able to send any players they wanted on loan to Bury. Nevertheless, Moyes felt he could send players on loan to better clubs, so the affiliation wasn't needed. Altrincham also had a loan deal with Manchester United, but now only playing in the Blue Square Premier, no longer have a deal with United.
Newcastle Town, a side who also play non-league football, had multiple options within their affiliation with Manchester United. Manchester United would be able to send players on loan to the side, but don't play at a high enough level for Moyes to feel acceptable in the deal. An annual friendly should also be held, although any are yet to be played. Both sides could place a bid the same as the other team when bidding for a player of the other affiliated club, and only there offer could be accepted. However, the Manchester players were too expensive for Newcastle Town, whose players weren't good enough to play for Manchester United.
As a result of these actions, Manchester United only have four affiliations now, with bigger teams. Molde FK, Fluminense, FC Twente and Hull City all remain in their link with Manchester United, who are expected to look soon for more possible clubs to link with to benefit from in the near future.
Fabio and Davide Petrucci recently moved to Hull City in an agreement due to the affiliation.