Sir Jim Ratcliffe's latest Man Utd idea labelled 'embarrassing' - 'What is he thinking?'

TalkSPORT pundits Jason Cundy and Jamie O'Hara have taken aim at for his latest "penny-pinching" project.

In an attempt to save on travel costs (and carbon emissions), it's understood the co-owner proposed his club's two nominees travel with who have eight players up for awards in Paris on Monday. Youngsters and are each in contention for the Under-21 Kopa Trophy, while City have a host of stars up for the main prize.

But it seems the idea was laughed off by side following reports And the ridicule didn't end there as Cundy and O'Hara slated the billionaire for even suggesting it in the first place.

"Sir Jim Ratcliffe, an absolute joke. Penny-pinching at its finest," said midfielder O'Hara while introducing Ratcliffe as one of their 'losers of the week' on "Asking if they can share the flight and put [Alejandro] Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo on there so they can go to the Ballon d'Or.

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"Imagine asking to share a jet with their players. What is he thinking? And what are Man United doing? An absolute joke!"

In today's climate, where high-profile figures and celebrities are being asked to curb luxuries such as private jets, some may respect Ratcliffe's logic. The tycoon's chemical company, INEOS, has stated its intent to deliver net zero emissions by 2050, so it's clear the Briton believes in climate change and doing what he can to reduce the stress on the planet's ozone.

But former and defender Cundy wasn't in agreement as he added: "This is a faux pas of gargantuan standards. Man City have got so many players with the potential for the Ballon d'Or - there's no room on the flight! United have asked, 'Can you squeeze two more in? They'll carry the bags!' Maybe they could go there as two of the hostesses.

"Can we get Mainoo and Garnacho - they could be serving the waters to the Man City players! And their sandwiches, whatever [they want]. Imagine that."

Not to take away from the legitimacy of the rivalry in today's age, but O'Hara and Cundy may not be prioritising the larger picture in play. A private jet from London to Paris (then back again) is up to 14 times more polluting per passenger than a commercial flight, which is one factor the punditry pair may not take into account while making gags at Ratcliffe's expense.

There are of course other affordable and eco-friendly methods for Mainoo and Garnacho to travel, but none that come without complications of their own, privacy from the prying public being one.

One can't fault Ratcliffe for attempting to curb United's unnecessary spending where possible, but perhaps expecting aid from rivals City was always going to be a hope too far.

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