Man United staff are given one WEEK to decide on mass voluntary resignation offer – as Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes dramatic move to cut costs following INEOS’ part-takeover

Manchester United co-owner Ineos is ready to make major cuts after sending an email to all non-football staff on Tuesday inviting them to resign.

The mood at Old Trafford and Carrington plummeted just four days after United celebrated winning the FA Cup by beating Manchester City at Wembley.

Ineos has been on a cost-cutting drive since Sir Jim Ratcliffe made a £1.3 billion investment and appointed business restructuring advisers Interpath to look at ways to reduce costs within the company.

It is expected that up to a fifth of its 1,100 employees could go to United to save money.

Staff received the email on Tuesday and were given a week to decide whether to leave their jobs by agreeing to ‘voluntary redundancy’.

It confirmed their fears that job losses are inevitable since the Ratcliffe takeover was confirmed at Christmas.

The Ineos billionaire already cracked down on staff earlier this month, ordering anyone still working from home to immediately return to the office ‘or find other work’, and demanding that Old Trafford and Carrington be kept tidy because some areas were ‘a disgrace’. .

Ratcliffe is trying to cut costs after completing a £1.3 billion deal to acquire 27.7 percent of the club and its football operations in February.

United’s staff costs totaled £95.1 million in the last reporting period, while the wage bill for 2022-2023 totaled £384.1 million.

United made a record turnover of £648.4m on the 2022-2023 accounts but lost £42m.

Staff were also unhappy with another budget cut: they were told they would each receive only one ticket for the FA Cup final and that the club would no longer pay for their travel and meals.

Employees had to pay for the £20 return bus ticket to Wembley, as well as their only food and drink at petrol stations.

Mail Sport understands that 50 more employees than last year refused to take a ticket for the FA Cup final as many were unhappy with Ineos’ cost-cutting measures.

Some Manchester United staff were left furious after the club treated the players’ wives and girlfriends to a fancy meal at a top restaurant – 24 hours after scrapping FA Cup final benefits.

In a tradition dating back to Sir Matt Busby, Old Trafford staff have been given free tickets plus travel to and from Wembley, a pre-match lunch, a post-match party and accommodation in the capital. Senior employees and directors can also bring friends and family.

It is believed that the luncheon was one of many social events on the calendar. The view is that the happiness of the players’ families is essential to keep Erik ten Hag’s squad stable and ensure that expensive signings feel welcome at the club.

An email outlining the changes did not go down well with staff and some were even more annoyed when they learned 24 hours later that the other half of United’s highly paid stars were out for lunch – while the club picked up the bill took on.

The partners of players including Scott McTominay, Luke Shaw, Antony and Aaron Wan-Bissaka went to the posh San Carlo restaurant and were seen with Harvey Nichols and Manchester United goody bags.

United defeated City 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

“It’s a kick in the teeth,” one employee, who did not want to be named, told Mail Sport. ‘The trip to Wembley is a tradition that the staff have enjoyed for years.

‘It’s a thank you for the work we do and it means that when the team does well we all get rewarded. Obviously they are cutting back, but to see that not even a day later the WAGs are going into town and the club is footing the bill is a bit rich.”

United insiders dismissed the dissatisfaction, pointing out that they believe the club has the best player care department in the top flight.

This ensures that the most important people at the club – the players – are cared for in a comfortable environment.