Manchester United have opted against cutting the budget for their disabled supporters’ association.

It emerged in November that United were considering reducing their £40,000 annual contribution to the group by half.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has implemented a series of cost-cutting measures since becoming United co-owner and taking over the day-to-day running of the club from the Glazers 12 months ago.

But United have now decided against another highly controversial move, meaning the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association will continue to receive their full funding from the club.

MUDSA had long been run by the much-loved Chas Banks MBE, until his death in October aged 74. Banks grew up in the shadow of Old Trafford and had been a passionate campaigner for disabled rights.

Whereas MUDSA will remain unaffected by cuts, the charity for former United players has been less fortunate, with United scrapping their annual £40,000 funding for that organisation.

United appointed corporate restructuring firm Interpath Advisory last March to oversee a huge cost-cutting drive that resulted in 250 jobs being cut.

Ratcliffe has since been having all non-manpower expenditure reviewed,with the club pouring over thousands of line items to determine where savings can be made in an attempt to free up more cash for the first team and reduce the club’s losses.

United posted pre-tax losses of £312.9 million for the previous three seasons and have warned in correspondence with supporters that they run the risk of breaching the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) in the future if they do not get a grip on losses.

While MUDSA has avoided cuts, other departments and individuals have not been so lucky. Corporate credit cards for heads of department were binned and free travel and food for staff attending the FA Cup final were scrapped.

The staff Christmas party was axed and a £100 Christmas bonus for employees replaced by a £40 Marks & Spencer voucher.

Former United players such as Bryan Robson, Andrew Cole and Denis Irwin are set to have their salaries as club ambassadors slashed.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s £2 million-a-year global ambassadorial role is due to be scrapped at the end of the season and former chief executive David Gill’s £1 million-a-year retainer was dropped.