Manchester United board has confirmed that200 employees will be made redundant as part of efforts to “return the club to profitability.” This follows a previous wave of 250 job cuts last year under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-saving measures.
United CEO Outlines Transformation Plan
During a staff meeting on Monday, United chief executive Omar Berrada informed employees of the upcoming redundancies, describing them as part of a larger “transformation plan” aimed at stabilizing the club’s finances.
Read Also: Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting strategy deepens crisis at Old Trafford
“We have a responsibility to put Manchester United in the strongest position to win across our men’s, women’s, and academy teams,” Berrada stated.
“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. However, these hard choices are necessary to put the club back on a stable financial footing.”
Berrada stressed that United has suffered financial losses for five consecutive years, making changes essential.
“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 commercial partners. This will ultimately put us in a much stronger position to invest in football success and improved facilities for fans while remaining compliant with UEFA and Premier League regulations.”
Additional Cost-Cutting Measures Implemented
As part of the restructuring:
Some staff will be relocated from Old Trafford to the club’s Carrington training base.
A reduced presence will be maintained in London, but all club leadership will be Manchester-based.
Free lunches for staff at Old Trafford will be discontinued, saving over £1m annually, though catering arrangements at Carrington will remain unchanged for the rest of the season.
The club’s annual £40,000 donation to the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association (MUDSA) will be maintained. Discussions are ongoing with the Manchester United Foundation (MUF) regarding its contribution level.
Ratcliffe has implemented several cost-cutting measures since his investment, with the previous redundancies expected to save between £40 million to £45 million.
He has also warned of further “difficult and unpopular decisions.” Matchday ticket prices have increased, and the future of Old Trafford is under review, with a potential rebuild or new stadium projects costing billions.
Future Uncertainty Over Old Trafford
United has also increased matchday ticket prices to £66 per game, with no concessions for children or pensioners. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe is still considering whether to rebuild Old Trafford—at an estimated cost of £1.5bn—or construct a new stadium, which could exceed £2bn.
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