Sir Jim Ratcliffe was on the San Mames pitch to console Manchester United players and staff after the Europa League final.
The first full season of Ineos ownership has seen Manchester United record their worst campaign in club history since the start of the Premier League.
United’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final means the Red Devils will finish the season trophyless with no European qualification. In the league, a 14th-place finish is the best Ruben Amorim can hope for.
Ratcliffe has backed Amorim to continue as head coach into next season, but the pressure on both the Portuguese manager and United’s ownership will be immense.
Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Man United staff ‘booed’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe at club event
The morale around Carrington and Old Trafford has taken a huge hit in recent months due to Ratcliffe’s job cuts at United.
Ratcliffe claimed United were going bust by the end of the year if he had not implemented such ruthless cost-cutting measures, but they were understandably met with huge criticism.
The British billionaire flew out to Bilbao to attend the Europa League final on Wednesday night, but back in Manchester, the reception he received was damning.
According to The Athletic, United employees were invited to a screening event of the Europa League final in the Ancoats district.
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The report claims there was “gallows humour” among the staff with boos ringing out in the venue among the 1,000-strong crowd of employees when Ratcliffe and the Glazers appeared on screen.
It is easy to see why Ratcliffe is such an unpopular figure given that as many as 400 jobs have been cut around the club’s various departures.
Europa League defeat could lead to job cuts or new takeover
United announced new redundancies in February, and CEO Omar Berrada revealed United’s four-year plan.
As reported by The Athletic, United’s financial calculations have factored in achieving at least Europa League qualification for the next four years.
Finance expert Kieran Maguire emphasised the financial importance of the Europa League to United, but now Ineos and Ratcliffe will need to figure out how to keep the Red Devils afloat – that could very well mean more job cuts.
READ MORE: ‘We have two plans’ – Ruben Amorim reveals what Man United will do in transfer window after Europa League defeat
Alternatively, it has been hinted that Ratcliffe could spark a new takeover saga at United if he or the Glazers choose to sell their shares in the club.
Ratcliffe’s personal wealth has taken a huge hit during his first 18 months as United owner, and the financial crisis facing the Red Devils this summer could be enough to push him to sell his stake.