Manchester United has informed some staff working at their Carrington training ground that their jobs will be terminated. This marks the second round of redundancies since Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a minority stake in the club last year.
Club insiders indicate that the redundancy process, which could result in up to 200 job losses, has been ongoing for several weeks, with most staff already aware of their employment status. However, BBC Sport has learned that some staff connected to the first team were not notified until Friday to avoid disrupting preparations for Wednesday’s Europa League final against Tottenham.
It is anticipated that departments such as sports science, medical, and scouting will be among those affected. Now that the final is over, staff in these areas are being informed. Sources claim these employees had previously been told their positions would be clarified at a later date. This means that staff in specific roles being cut are now being told whether they will remain at United.
Morale within the club is reportedly low, as this news comes shortly after the defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final. Club sources maintain that the timeline for the redundancies has not changed.
Before the first wave of cuts last year, United employed approximately 1,100 people. The initial round of redundancies saw about 250 employees let go, saving the club between £8 million and £10 million. Earlier this year, United chief executive Omar Berrada stated that an additional 150 to 200 redundancies were expected.
The defeat in Bilbao means United will not participate in European football next season, only the second time since 1990, resulting in an estimated £100 million hole in the club’s finances.
Ratcliffe has initiated several cost-cutting measures since purchasing his stake in February 2024. Club ambassadors, including Sir Alex Ferguson, have had their roles reviewed, and a staff canteen was closed, replaced with an offer of free fruit.
Ratcliffe and co-owner Avram Glazer attended Wednesday’s final in Bilbao, where Ferguson was also pictured alongside them. Sources told BBC Sport that several cars were driven to Bilbao before the final for the use of Ratcliffe and senior club officials during their time in Spain.
Despite the defeat, the club proceeded with plans to hold a barbecue for the first-team squad and family members at Carrington. However, these latest cutbacks occur against a challenging financial backdrop, with United having lost over £370 million in the past five years and owing £313 million in outstanding transfer payments to other clubs, according to their 2024 accounts.
