Manchester United contract offer to goalkeeper Pat Dunne from 1965 shows number one was to be rewarded with a pay rise… to £35 per week (that’s the equivalent of £610)

IF you ever needed proof of how the beautiful game has changed beyond all recognition, this is it.

Back in 1965, Manchester United wanted to reward goalkeeper Pat Dunne with a new contract for his sterling displays between the sticks.

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He had signed for £10,500 from Irish outfit Shamrock Rovers, and was a Republic of Ireland international.

And the contract on offer was a good one – a two year extension and a pay rise to £35 per week. That’s the equivalent of around £610 per week.

Compare that to the £300,000 a week Paul Pogba is believed to earn at Old Trafford following his £109million move from Juventus, and you get some idea of the scale of change.

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That eclipsed the Premier League’s previous highest earner, again at United, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic earning £260,000 a week.

A copy of the contract offer was shared on Reddit by a family member of Dunne.

It reads: ‘In accordance with Football League and Football Association Rules, I beg to advise you that the club desire to retain your services and wish to offer you a two year contract on the terms stated below with the option of a further two years as provided by the new agreements.

‘Forms are available at this office, if you wish to discuss any matter with Mr Busby he will be available any morning at the ground.’

The contract would run from July 1, 1965 until June 30, 1967.

It would prove to be Dunne's last contract at United. He was sold in the summer of 1967 to Plymouth where he went on to be The Pilgrim's player of the season in his first campaign.

He died on September 25 last year after a short illness. He was 72.

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