MANCHESTER UNITED fans lambasted the club chiefs’ decision to scrap free lunches at Old Trafford following a second round of brutal cuts since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.
Ratcliffe, 72, completed a minority takeover in 2023 and has since gained control over sporting operations at United, which led to some severe downsizing.
Manchester United chiefs decided to scrap free lunches at Old Trafford[/caption]
Last summer saw 250 staff made redundant in a heavy first wave to save costs under Sir Jim.
But the list of casualties is now set to increase by between 150 and 200 job cuts amid the club’s transformation plan, which includes axing free lunches.
SunSport exclusively revealed how lunches for all but the first team had been reduced to soup and sandwiches, and that included coaches and analysts, with a later report from The Guardian revealing the staff canteen was set to close altogether.
According to Sky News, ending free lunches for staff is estimated to be saving the club £1million a year.
Man Utd fans didn’t take well to the news as that poses as a small fee in the grand scheme of things.
The Red Devils faithful stormed social media to lash out against club bosses and that measure.
One fan tweeted: “This is just embarrassing.”
Another commented: “That’s a month of Mason Mount’s salary!”
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A third wrote: “This club nah.”
This fan joked: “Problem solved then!”
And that one said: “Wohoo now we can sign [Kylian] Mbappe for 3 hours.”
United chiefs claim these cuts will help them invest in both the men’s and women’s football team.
An official statement read: “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.”
Club chiefs aren’t planning on changing their donation of £40,000 per year to the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association.
There are, however, talks over reducing funding for the Manchester United Foundation.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year at Man Utd
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…
December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington
January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added
March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move
March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football
March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford
March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December
April 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled
April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton
May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanliness
May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof
May 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish
May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy
May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket
May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed
May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result
June 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground
June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into office
June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team
July 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board
July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125
July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie
August 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window
August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet
October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson
October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled
October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause
November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim
November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings
November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association
December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century”
December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director
December 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
December 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth
December 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two stars
December 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity
