Man Utd waive loan fees for young stars to help clubs through coronavirus crisis

Manchester United have agreed to waive loan fee for some of their young stars in a bid to help cash-strapped clubs through the coronavirus crisis.

As clubs lower down the food chain feel the economic impact of the virus outbreak, United chiefs have accepted a £130,000 loss rather than demand the fees owed for three transfers.

Goalkeepers Joel Pereira and Kieran O'Hara are on loan at Hearts and Burton Albion respectively, while Bolton currently have midfielder Ethan Hamilton in their ranks.

As reported by The Mail, members of the United hierarchy have decided it would be unfair to put further financial pressure on those clubs when they are already having to deal with losses from a lack of matchday income.

United make good use of the loan system as a way to offer valuable first-team experience to their promising academy talents.

Left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is also still out on loan at League Two side Oldham, though it is not known whether United will waive a fee on that transfer, or if they are even owed a fee.

The EFL are still in discussions to determine whether the remainder of the current season will go ahead.

League Two clubs have already voted to end the current season, while League One looks set to be decided on a points per game basis.

Huddersfield Town chairman Phil Hodgkinson has warned up to 60 clubs could go bust in the next year due to the financial strain of the crisis.

And Salford United co-owner Gary Neville admitted there could be economic "carnage" for clubs in the coming months if they are not bailed out.

"It will be July, August, September, October when the real pressure comes," Neville told Sky Sports.

"I think there will be clubs considering administration just to save themselves.

"I do think there is a looming nightmare for EFL clubs, whether it's up to 60 [who are in financial trouble] I'm not sure."

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