- Sir Jim Ratcliffe is carrying out a major restructuring process at Man United
- The club has now made around 250 redundancies since INEOS arrived
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Manchester United have scrapped lunch boxes for matchday staff and halved the number of corporate fan programmes they run, as part of a series of ongoing cost-cutting measures at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have launched a major financial review after buying a quarter of the club’s shares earlier this year, which reportedly led to the redundancies of around 250 people.
It can now be reported that a number of other competition areas have been identified where further savings can be made.
The club’s army of temporary workers were previously given a lunchbox containing a sandwich, a cereal bar, a bag of crisps and a soft drink, but many were left shocked to see the offer had disappeared during United’s opening game of the season against Fulham on Friday night.
Some said they were instead given leftovers of the food delivered to corporate customers. United says that while some of the food provided was the same as what was previously served to fans, they insist it was not leftovers and that extra quantities are now being made for staff.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have implemented a series of cost-cutting measures since becoming part-owners of Manchester United earlier this year
United are to abolish lunch boxes for match staff and halve the number of programmes given to corporate fans.
They add that the investigation found that there were problems with the lunch boxes, with much of the food going uneaten and therefore wasted.
Some workers also claim they are forced to eat in a restroom. “They have a dining table next to four stalls,” said one. “You come out of the stall and there’s someone sitting right in front of you eating.”
However, United says a separate area is available and some choose to eat in a quieter employee area with an adjoining bathroom and shower.
Until this season, those who paid thousands per game to watch the action from private boxes were each given a match programme. However, at the Fulham game, some were left aghast to find that only five were being handed out for boxes of 10. ‘Considering the money we’re paying, it seems extremely stingy not to even get a programme each,’ said one disgruntled fan.
United say they are supplying half their capacity of programme boxes and have taken action after discovering waste, with many of the magazines being found in bins after matches.
They add that anyone who asks for a program in a box will receive one and say there is a QR code on it that will allow people to read the program in digital format.
The changes are part of a large-scale drive to cut costs, create a leaner operation and ensure the club gets the most out of its squad.
The use of private drivers and corporate credit cards were among the first areas to be addressed, with new officials surprised by the perception of overspending.
Some staff were therefore shocked when they were told that, in a break with tradition, they would have to pay for their transport to the FA Cup final.
Other benefits for executives, such as a pre-match party, post-match lunch and hotel accommodation, were completely removed. So was the ability for these employees and executives to bring their friends and family to the Wembley spectacle.