Pay £39.99 to swap jersey with a Manchester United player: Cambridge manager

The Cambridge United jersey

Cambridge United, a League Two side, host Manchester United in the FA Cup third round tonight. It is a glamorous tie for the lower league club, but their manager, Richard Mooney has said the cash-strapped club can not afford to allow their players to swap jerseys with the Premier League stars.

Despite the Abbey Stadium witnessing a host of international stars after a long time, Mooney has said that if any of his players swap their jerseys, they will have to pay the price of the shirt from their own pocket. Mooney also admitted he doesn't understand the fascination with swapping jerseys, especially at half-time.

“We're not wealthy enough to give any of our shirts away,” Mooney said before adding that the jersey costs £39.99.

“So if they give their shirt away they're going to have to replace it.”

He also said that if his players do exchange jerseys at half-time, they wouldn’t have anything to wear for the second 45 minutes.

“It would appear that in the Premier League they give their shirt away after every game – sometimes at half-time. I don't understand why a top-class player would want another top-class player's shirt at half-time.

“If one of our players was trying to swap a shirt at half-time you could understand it.

“But they won't, as they wouldn't have anything to wear in the second half!”