Manchester United to Cut 250 Jobs in Cost-Saving Measure

Manchester United is set to eliminate 250 jobs as part of an effort to reduce costs and eliminate some "non-essential" activities. This decision follows a comprehensive review of club operations led by United director Sir Dave Brailsford, initiated after Ineos' co-ownership of the club was confirmed in December.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe had previously expressed his desire for staff to return to working from club premises. However, club sources now indicate that a significant financial transformation is necessary to curb the rising year-on-year costs.

The review concluded that the club's current size and structure do not align with its football performance, resulting in an excess number of staff. Cost savings have been identified in "non-essential" activities, which are to be discontinued, although it remains unclear what these activities entail. The objective is to reduce the headcount and employee costs among the club's 1,150 full-time staff members.

Interim chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc announced the job cuts at an all-staff meeting attended by around 800 people. The move is expected to be met with criticism, as many believe that poor recruitment decisions around the first team have squandered far more money than will be saved by reducing the general workforce.

Two years ago, former chief executive Richard Arnold was recorded telling a group of fans that United had "burned through" £1 billion on players with little to show for it. Since their last Premier League win in the 2012-13 season, the club has spent £1.5 billion on new players, with few proving to be good value.

This summer, United had a £35 million bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite rejected and are eager to sign two central defenders and an additional forward player. Additionally, the club has recently committed £50 million to developing its Carrington training ground, causing the women's team to vacate a new facility to accommodate Erik ten Hag's squad temporarily.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Ratcliffe described the past six months since acquiring the club as "an interesting six months" and acknowledged that putting United on the right path would be "not going to be a short journey." He added, "It hasn't kept up with the modern world. Some of the practices are not at the level they should be for the biggest football club in the world."

Earlier this year, a task force, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and former United captain Gary Neville, was established to explore the financial feasibility of constructing a new stadium near Old Trafford.

United officials emphasize that the decision to cut staff was not taken lightly and that all areas of the club, except for the Manchester United Foundation, will be affected. They considered alternatives but concluded that the impact would not have been sustainable.

The formal process to propose redundancies will now commence.