Sir Jim Ratcliffe closes Man United’s paid-for stadium staff canteen – and replaces it with free fruit – in new cost-cutting moves
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Man United part-ownership as been characterised by cuts
- It comes in a season the club spent over £20million hiring and firing managers
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Can INEOS really be judged after 12 months?
Manchester United have confirmed plans to axe up to 200 more jobs in another round of cuts that include replacing free lunches for staff at Old Trafford with fruit.
The latest measures under minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will take the total number of job losses to 450 – more than a third of the workforce – since Ineos began running football operations at United.
Staff were given the bad news by chief executive Omar Berrada in a meeting at Old Trafford on Monday afternoon and told that they will learn their fate by April.
Berrada said: ‘We have a responsibility to put Manchester United in the strongest position to win across our men’s, women’s and academy teams.
‘We are initiating a wide-ranging series of measures which will transform and renew the club.
‘Unfortunately, this means announcing further potential redundancies and we deeply regret the impact on those affected colleagues.
Man United part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has come under scrutiny for his cost-cutting measures
Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures have included increasing ticket prices and axing a Christmas party
‘However, these hard choices are necessary to put the club back on a stable financial footing.
‘We have lost money for the past five consecutive years. This cannot continue. Our two main priorities as a club are delivering success on the pitch for our fans and improving our facilities. We cannot invest in these objectives if we are continuously losing money.
‘At the end of this process, we will have a more lean, agile and financially sustainable football club, while continuing to provide a world class service to our valuable commercial partners.
‘We will then be in a much stronger position to invest in football success and improved facilities for fans, while remaining compliant with UEFA and Premier League regulations.’
United confirmed that more staff will relocate from Old Trafford to the training ground at Carrington to create a more streamlined, football-orientated operation, and that those employees remaining at the stadium will no longer enjoy free lunches in the canteen there from March 1.
It’s understood the club will offer them fruit instead as part of a move that will save £1million-a-year.
The catering arrangements at Carrington – which is currently undergoing a £50m upgrade – will remain the same for the rest of the season before changing to a ‘differentiated offering between staff and players’ once it is fully operational again.
Reports over the weekend claimed that staff will now be offered soup and sandwiches.
United’s Under-18s were denied the chance to play at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup
Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting is thought to be about giving Ruben Amorim more money to spend on his first team
United also expressed a need to manage the club’s football costs more effectively – spending more wisely on transfer fees and players’ salaries – after losing ore than £300m over the last three years.
The club’s London operation will be downsized, with all the top brass based in Manchester, while bonuses will be reduced this year before a new scheme is brought into operation based more on the club’s football and financial performance.
Having made a raft of cuts under Ineos, United also announced that any future charitable donations will be focussed on the Manchester United Foundation and Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association.
Confirming the latest round of job cuts, United issued a statement saying: ‘Manchester United is to transform its corporate structure as part of a series of additional measures to improve the club’s financial sustainability and enhance operational efficiency.
‘The transformation plan aims to return the club to profitability after five consecutive years of losses since 2019.
‘This will create a more solid financial platform from which the club can invest in men’s and women’s football success and improved infrastructure.
‘As part of these measures, the club anticipates that approximately 150-200 jobs may be made redundant, subject to a consultation process with employees. These would be in addition to the 250 roles removed last year.’
