MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 7: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United looks dejected during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Manchester United and PAOK FC at Old Trafford on November 7, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes was left surprised by one of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cost-cutting measures
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes was left 'taken aback' by Sir Jim Ratcliffe's decision to cut back on the benefits offered to club staff.
Ratcliffe's arrival as United's new controlling co-owner was confirmed a year ago, with the British billionaire officially taking charge in February. He has enacted a brutal round of cost-cutting at Old Trafford.
Around 250 staff have been made redundant, credit card privileges have been stopped and ambassador contracts such as the one with Sir Alex Ferguson have been scrapped. Meanwhile, United have continued to spend heavily when it comes to football.
More than £200million was spent in the summer window, while United have also been forced to pay compensation to Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth following their sackings.
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Another cost-cutting measure came in May ahead of the FA Cup final against Manchester City. The club confirmed to staff that the traditional benefit of a free ticket, travel, food and accommodation would not be offered.
Instead, staff had to pay £20 for a coach trip to Wembley and got nothing other than the ticket. According to The Athletic, this move left captain Fernandes 'taken aback'.
He was so surprised, that the midfielder went to executives and offered to pay for all the usual extras out of his own pocket. That proposal was rejected though, with the club's new chiefs sticking to their plan.
Manchester United with the FA Cup
Ratcliffe cut the benefits offered to staff as Manchester United won the FA Cup in May
Fernandes would go to play all 90 minutes as United won the FA Cup, the highlight of Ratcliffe's time in charge. The billionaire has defended his decision to enact a ruthless cost-cutting programme, insisting 'hard choices' are needed.
" Manchester United has become mediocre," he told the United We Stand magazine. "It is supposed to be one of the best football clubs in the world. We have to make some difficult and unpopular decisions.
"If you shy away from the difficult decisions, then nothing much is going to change. I know we get criticism in the press but we do need to challenge the cost of running this club because what I want to be free for us to do is buy really good footballers, not spend so much of the money on infrastructure.
"We can't run a business at a loss, which is where United have been in the last couple of years. If you are losing money you have to borrow from the bank to pay for the losses. Eventually that becomes unsustainable.
"I don't want to end up in a position where the genuine local fans can't afford to come but I do want to optimise the ticketing. We need to find a balance - and you can't be popular all the time either. I don't think it makes sense for a Manchester United ticket to cost less than a ticket to see Fulham."
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