Cost-cutting Man United ask rivals Man City to give their players a LIFT to the Ballon d’Or ceremony on their private jet – only to be rejected

Manchester United asked rivals City if Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo could cadge a lift with their party of eight nominees to the Ballon d’Or – only to be told the flight was full.

Mail Sport understands that the Premier League champions have chartered a private jet to ferry their sizable delegation to Paris for the Monday night awards ceremony.

And in a move which may well raise eyebrows, it can be revealed that United asked their neighbours if they had any room for their two hopefuls.

Sadly for the Old Trafford club they were informed that there was no room on the flight and alternate arrangements had to be arranged.

United are in the midst of a series of cost-saving measures following the arrival at the club of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group earlier this year.

The Premier League champions have eight nominees including Erling Haaland (pictured on Wednesday) – and there’s no room for their rivals

It is understood that the prospect of sending two players on a private jet was not deemed to be a good look in the current climate.

United are also thought to have been wary of their carbon footprint. Clubs have previously shared flights when players need to return from international duty from places such as South America. 

In the men’s section, Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Rodri are all in the running for City while in the women’s, Yui Hasegawa, Lauren Hemp and Khadija Shaw are all up. In the hunt for the Kopa Trophy, for the best player under 21, City’s Brazilian winger Savinho has been nominated, along with Garnacho and Mainoo.

Arsenal also have four candidates in the men’s section – Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba and one woman, Mariona Caldentey.

But despite making the effort to fly to the French capital from Manchester, Man City are likely to see their players disappointed. 

The top honour on Monday night will reportedly be awarded to Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr, on the heels of another blistering season in LaLiga. 

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are two of the Arsenal contingent nominated for the award

But the likely honouree in the French capital is set to be Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr

The Brazil international’s team-mate Jude Bellingham looked an early favourite after his strong debut season in Madrid

Just this week the 24-year-old showed his class as he netted a second-half hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League meeting to pull off a spine-tingling 5-2 comeback against the visitors at the Bernabeu. 

Mail Sport reported last month that the Brazil star – who is nominated alongside team-mates Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappe, and Antonio Rudiger – is aware that he will take home the top prize. 

In a break from tradition, however, award organisers France Football had intended to keep the Ballon d’Or winner shrouded in greater mystery. 

The outlet will not interview the winner before the ceremony, as was custom, with the winner waiting until their name is called in the presenter.