With Michael Carrick’s blessing, Manchester United invited club legend Bryan Robson to talk to academy players about the potential pitfalls of their wealth
Michael Carrick turned to Bryan Robson to help his young players (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United turned to Bryan Robson in an attempt to keep their young players away from some of the pitfalls that come with professional football. Robson has been a United legend since his playing days and is now determined to shape the lives of the next generation at Carrington.
Robson made 461 appearances for United between 1981 and 1994, earning him the nickname ‘Captain Marvel’ in the process. He remains part of the modern United side as an ambassador for the club, and was even invited to watch a training session by Michael Carrick.
The 69-year-old has a wealth of experience as both a player and a manager. And now he’s trying to use his background to help others avoid the mistakes he made.
Like many football players, Robson lost money investing in schemes that didn’t work out. He lost £250,000 on an investment in a hotel that was never built and £550,000 on a film investment scheme intended to provide tax relief.
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Stories like this are common in professional football, where wealth is foisted on young, impressionable men. That’s why Robson has teamed up with former United player Simon Andrews to educate the next generation.
“For some, their first contract at Manchester United may be the best they can get, but then when they drop down the division to another club with less money, they try to live above their means. Children are vulnerable,” said Robson of the Daily Mail.
“Footballers become targets the moment they sign their first professional contract. They are cash cows for cronies, fraudsters and opportunists. It’s evil. They know what they’re doing.
Bryan Robson is determined to stop others from making the same mistake (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
“I’ve seen it so many times, it’s been internalized and I wish I hadn’t seen it, it’s not right and I had to do something about it.” Robson and Andrews spoke to United’s under-18s, under-21s, women’s teams and player welfare staff.
In 2016, the Mirror reported on a pyramid scheme that lured former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, ex-Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard and Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor. Around 100 players are said to have been among those who lost an estimated £30 million to the scam.
And in 2018, it was revealed that United legends Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand were among those who lost a combined £25m to separate schemes.
Wayne Rooney’s son Kai is a star in Manchester United’s academy (Image: JMEnternational, Getty Images)
“The problem is that footballers are very proud,” Robson added. “A lot of it is due to the image you want to project as a top player, but as a result, if they think they’ve been scammed out of money, they’re very reluctant to open up. Instead of seeking help right away, they keep it to themselves and then end up in a downward spiral of chasing money they can’t get back.”
“Some people have even contemplated suicide. Suicide has to stop. We often hear about campaigns like V11, a former player who lost millions of dollars in dodgy estate planning. They spent millions more trying to get back what they lost.”
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