Sir Jim Ratcliffe during Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe during Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Manchester United staff have seen their traditional Christmas party scrapped and their bonus cut by the club's new ownership, it has been claimed.
Before the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's team, staff are understood to have received £100 around the festive period. However, that award - kept in place by the Glazer family - has now been replaced by a £40 M&S voucher.
It is the latest step in a series of cost-cutting measures introduced by INEOS chief Ratcliffe. The billionaire's investment in the club was announced just before Christmas in 2023, with his arrival officially confirmed two months later.
Ratcliffe stripped back some traditional FA Cup benefits in May, with staff still given free tickets for the Wembley showpiece but missing out on other benefits handed out in previous years. Now, with Christmas just a fortnight away, another cut has come to light.
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The measures have brought a mixed response from staff, according to The Mail. While some are said to have been left frustrated by the cuts, others are pleasantly surprised to be receiving anything at all after the other cuts made on Ratcliffe's watch.
In addition to the trimming of the bonus, United's Christmas party - pared back in 2023 - is now reported to have been cut altogether. Last year's edition was held in a suite at Old Trafford, moving from its traditional home in the lead-up to Ratcliffe's takeover.
The Mail reports that this year's party has been cancelled on the grounds that it was considered inappropriate to hold such a celebration at the end of a year of redundancies. Around 250 jobs have been cut since Ratcliffe's arrival - nearly of a quarter of the workforce - in an attempt to save somewhere between £35million and £45m.
What are your early impressions from the Jim Ratcliffe era? Have your say in the comments section
Manchester United supporters with a banner protesting at ticket price rises
Manchester United supporters have voiced their concerns with some Ratcliffe measures
United's changes behind the scenes come fresh off a separate controversy over ticket prices. Discounts for youngsters and over-65s were scrapped for the remainder of the season, with tickets for Saturday's defeat to Nottingham Forest put on general sale after the price rise to a minimum of £66.
In an email to fans, United said the changes would only impact a small number of tickets. The club argued the measures were introduced at a time when they were looking to raise funds to help "invest in football and infrastructure", but there has been a backlash to the move.
“The recent hike in member ticket prices, particularly for children, is by far the most unpopular decision the club has made since the partial ownership change earlier this year," the Manchester United Suppoters Trust said. "It has created a significant rift with the fanbase and the club must act urgently to repair the damage.”
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