Manchester United’s decision to decline the government’s furlough scheme for non-playing staff came direct from the Glazer family, The Athletic understands.



Sources say the call was made relatively quickly by the club’s American owners after chancellor Rishi Sunak announced his rescue package on March 20 and it was then communicated as a definitive stance internally last week.



United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward sent an email to all staff on Monday to make the matter public, explaining how every one of the near 900 full-time employees will be paid in full as if working as normal. They have been assured of flexibility to fit work around caring for family and friends during the lockdown and if unable to work from home are being strongly encouraged to volunteer their time to the National Health Service or local communities.



United’s decision was made before the Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy announced on Tuesday...