Rachel Reeves discusses development of Old Trafford
Things have hardly been quiet at Manchester United over the past 12 months, with part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe making changes since he officially took charge of football affairs
If Manchester United fans wanted an interesting first 12 months under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, they've certainly got that.
Part-owner Ratcliffe saw his minority ownership bid accepted in December 2023, with the businessman parting with around £1.3billion for a 27.7 per cent stake in the club. It was not until February 2024 that the deal became official, though, meaning this month marks a full year under the INEOS chief.
Those 12 months have been eventful to say the least, even if one thing yet to improve is the club's on-pitch fortunes. United finished a lowly eighth at the end of the 2023-24 season, while they've since dropped even further in the Premier League standings.
Off the field, though, there has been plenty of noise around Ratcliffe's cost-cutting measures and the sometimes unpopular form this has taken - with a fresh round of redundancies announced just this week. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at the changes made over the course of the last 12 months.
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December 2023-February 2024: Behind-the-scenes changes
Ratcliffe's changes begin before his arrival was officially confirmed. Omar Berrada is confirmed as United's CEO, joining from City Football Group, with Richard Arnold making way. The billionaire's takeover is ratified in February, following which United's share price drops
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March 2024: Old Trafford plans surface
Plans for a 'Wembley of the North' come to light, with plans laid out for the demolition of Old Trafford and the building of a new mega-money stadium. Matt Johnson takes over as head of women's football, with Marc Skinner kept on as manager of United's women's team
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April 2024: Murtough out, Wilcox in
Football director John Murtough follows Arnold in leaving, while Jason Wilcox arrives as technical director after a spell with Southampton. Ratcliffe is reported to have cancelled the credit cards of senior staff as the part-owner's cost review process gets underway. After United reach the FA Cup final with a nervy victory over Coventry City, staff learn perks from the 2023 Wembley showpiece will not be repeated for the 2024 final
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May 2024: A cup win and some leak issues
Workmen are seen dealing with the Old Trafford roof after visible leaks, but broader plans are put on hold until a decision is reached on the future of the ground. In leaked emails, Ratcliffe calls some areas of the stadium and training ground a “disgrace” following a facilities tour. The part-owner emails staff encouraging a return to the office, later offering early payment of a bonus for those prepared to leave the club as he continues to trim the staff, reportedly giving them just a week to decide whether to take "voluntary resignation”. On the pitch, United finish eighth after a humiliating 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace, but they end the season with victory in the FA Cup final
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June: 2024: £50m plan but no new signings
United's 'back to work' directive comes into force after those May warnings. United begin work on their £50million Carrington Training Complex revamp, with reports emerging of a controversial plan to move the women's team into temporary buildings to accommodate the men's side during the rebuilding work. "We haven't got into that level of detail with the women's team yet," Ratcliffe says in an interview with Bloomberg. "We've been pretty much focused on how we resolve the first team issues, and that's been pretty full-time for the first six months."
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August 2024: Millions spent on signings as staff feel cuts
United's busy summer continues, with Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte joining in August to bring the summer spend to nearly £200m. Academy graduates Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood are among those sold, while United take a big financial hit on £50m signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Off-field cuts continue, though, with fewer matchday programmes provided to corporate guests in a move designed to reduce waste. Staff lunchboxes are also scrapped in a waste-cutting measure, with some setting up dining areas in a staff room with adjoining toilet cubicles, though the club indicates this is a choice rather than a requirement. Reports also emerge that United could look to make money from a behind-the-scenes documentary.
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September 2024: On-field struggles and off-field ambitions
The summer decision to hand Ten Hag a contract extension begins to look foolish, with pressure growing on the manager. A 3-0 home defeat against Tottenham leaves United 13th in the league with just seven points from six matches, with big-money signing Yoro yet to feature after suffering a foot injury in pre-season. Away from the pitch, plans to turn a new United stadium into an occasional boxing venue come to light as new revenue streams are sought.
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Ruben Amorim at a Man Utd press conference10 of 12
November 2024: Amorim arrives as more cuts made
Ruben Amorim at a Man Utd press conference
Manchester United fans' protests at the match against Everton11 of 12
December 2024: Fan protests and Ashworth exit
Manchester United fans' protests at the match against Everton