New shocking details have emerged regarding the latest efforts by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS to reduce operational costs at Manchester United.
Soon after completing his partial 27.7% investment earlier this year in February, Ratcliffe embarked on a ruthless cost-cutting exercise to ensure United remain compliant with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Around 250 members of staff were made redundant amidst United’s desire to carry on into the feature as a leaner and more effective organisation.
United employees also saw some of the perks which they used to enjoy during Wembley trips cancelled just before last season’s FA Cup final against Manchester City. Staff were told they would have to pay for their transport to the national stadium, in what was a major break from the club’s traditions.
Other benefits such as hotel accommodation and the ability to bring family and close friends to Wembley matches were also removed.
Before that, the corporate cards of United executives were targeted to reduce overspending on that front.
Mike Keegan of The Daily Mail now reports that the Red Devils have put in place additional austerity measures, including some “bizarre” ones that have left a section of insiders dismayed.
According to The Mail, “Manchester United have axed lunchboxes for matchday staff and cut the number of programmes given to corporate fans in half as part of a series of ongoing cost-saving measures at Old Trafford.”
“The club’s army of agency staff were previously given a lunchbox, which included a sandwich, cereal bar, bag of crisps and soft drink. However, many were dismayed to find the offering had vanished at United’s first match of the season against Fulham on Friday night.
“Some told that they were instead offered leftovers from the food supplied to corporate punters. United say that while some of the food offered was the same as that served earlier to fans they insist that it was not left overs and that extra quantities are now being made for staff.”
United insist that part of their review revealed issues with the lunchboxes and plenty of food wastage.
Even more shocking, some employees have claimed that they’ve been forced to take their meals in a toilet.
A source disclosed to the newspaper, “They’ve set up a dining table next to four toilet cubicles. You come out of the cubicle and someone is sat in right front of you, eating.”
Meanwhile, a fan said about the reduced number of matchday programmes in the private boxes, “Given the money we pay, to not even get a programme each seems miserly in the extreme.”
In response to this, United noted that there is a separate room for workers to eat but some prefer to do so in a quieter area which has an adjoining bathroom and shower room.
With regard to the matchday programmes, the 20-time English champions pointed out that wastage was identified, with many magazines found in bins after matches.
It’s understood that anyone who requests for a matchday programme will be given one while there is also an option of a QR code that can be used to read in digital format.
United’s aim is to channel as much money as possible on transfers and improving the team.
So far in the current transfer window, the Reds have splashed big money on the signings of Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
A fifth arrival could be on the horizon, with the club thought to be close to reaching an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain over Manuel Ugarte.
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