English press harsh on cost-cutting Man Utd: 'Innocent victims'

The situation at Manchester United continues to spiral downward as the club faces one of its most turbulent periods in modern history.

With another round of layoffs announced, an additional 150 to 200 jobs will be cut, adding to the staggering workforce reduction that has taken place under the ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The club has already seen around 40 percent of its jobs disappear, a dramatic shift that reflects the severe financial restructuring taking place behind the scenes. The latest cuts are yet another blow to the hundreds of staff members who have dedicated years to the club, only to find themselves casualties of cost-cutting measures that seem to be impacting everyone except those at the top.

Adding insult to injury, the club also confirmed that the remaining employees will no longer receive free lunches, a move expected to save approximately €1.2 million annually. While such savings may be seen as a pragmatic decision from a business perspective, it has been met with outrage, particularly when contrasted with the club’s lavish spending elsewhere. The decision to cut basic staff benefits comes at a time when United continues to spend astronomical sums on managerial changes, compensation packages, and questionable financial decisions in the transfer market.

The latest financial reports revealed the stark contrast in spending priorities. Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff, dismissed in a mid-season shakeup, received more than €17 million in severance pay. Meanwhile, over €13 million was spent to bring in Sporting Portugal’s Rúben Amorim as the new manager, despite the uncertainty surrounding United’s ability to secure European football next season. On top of these costly decisions, Dan Ashworth’s brief tenure at Old Trafford has become yet another financial misstep. Hired in July 2024 at a cost of €5 million, he lasted only until December 8 of the same year, meaning United spent nearly €1 million per month on his services before cutting him loose.

The backlash has been swift and widespread. Sky Sports did not hold back in its criticism of the club’s leadership, stating, “The people losing their jobs are not responsible for Manchester United’s problems.” This sentiment reflects the growing frustration among fans and analysts who see long-time employees paying the price for years of financial mismanagement, while high-ranking executives and decision-makers continue to escape accountability.

Looking at the club’s deeper financial history, Sky Sports also pointed to the long-term damage inflicted by the Glazer family since their takeover of the club. "When the Glazers bought the club, a £700 million loan was injected into United. In total, the club has paid £1 billion in interest on that debt, and nineteen years later, the debt has grown to £850 million. This is a club that was debt-free before the Glazers' takeover." The financial burden placed on Manchester United over the past two decades has directly contributed to the instability seen today, with the latest layoffs and cost-cutting measures serving as just another chapter in this ongoing crisis.

The Daily Mail painted a grim picture of the current atmosphere at Old Trafford. "Some employees became very emotional when they were told they would receive clarity about their future in April. Those lucky enough to keep their jobs will no longer get free lunches but will still receive fruit. A disgruntled employee told us that the free Monday lunch already consisted of leftovers from match day anyway." Such reports highlight the growing discontent among club staff, who have watched the club continue to pour millions into managerial changes while simultaneously stripping away basic workplace benefits.

Meanwhile, The Independent took an even harsher stance, calling out the hypocrisy in the club’s financial strategy. "Getting fired by Man Utd is a lucrative business at least for a select few. Not for the 250 staff members who were dismissed last year, and not for those now fearing for their jobs. Many innocent people are paying the price for Manchester United’s mismanagement the employees and the fans who see ticket prices continue to rise." The frustration among fans has been compounded by the fact that, while staff are losing their jobs and operational costs are being slashed, matchday ticket prices have continued to increase. For a club that was once considered one of the best-run institutions in football, the current state of affairs is nothing short of a disaster.

The Sun also detailed just how extensive the club’s cost-cutting measures have become. "Lunch for all teams except the first squad had already been reduced to just soup and sandwiches, a youth match was not played at Old Trafford to save £10,000, the annual Christmas party was canceled, and donations to charity were reduced." These small-scale savings, while meaningful in isolation, are being viewed as symbolic of the club’s misplaced priorities. When contrasted with the vast amounts being spent on managerial compensation and poor transfer decisions, the decision to cut employee meals and charity contributions seems particularly tone-deaf.

Beyond the financial struggles, Manchester United’s on-field performances have only made matters worse. The team currently sits in 15th place in the Premier League, a shocking position for a club of United’s stature. The implications of this poor league standing extend beyond just pride it also severely impacts revenue. With each drop in the table, United’s share of Premier League broadcast and prize money shrinks, and if they fail to qualify for European competition next season, the financial losses will be even more damaging. The gap between United and fifth-placed Newcastle is currently 14 points, meaning that their chances of securing European football are growing slimmer by the week. With nine teams separating them from the top five, only a miraculous turnaround will prevent the club from missing out on continental competition entirely.

Despite their domestic struggles, United has at least managed to stay afloat in the Europa League. Finishing third in the group stage allowed them to skip the playoff round, securing a direct spot in the Round of 16. However, their next opponent, Real Sociedad, represents a formidable challenge. The Spanish club has been in excellent form and will be eager to exploit United’s weaknesses. If Erik ten Hag’s departure was meant to signal a new beginning, results on the pitch suggest otherwise, and a failure in Europe would only deepen the crisis further.

The coming months will be crucial for Manchester United’s future, both on and off the pitch. The financial restructuring efforts led by Jim Ratcliffe are clearly aimed at stabilizing the club, but at what cost? Layoffs and budget cuts may improve short-term financial figures, but they risk alienating the very people who have helped sustain the club through difficult times. Fans, too, are growing increasingly frustrated with the constant turmoil, and many are beginning to question whether Ratcliffe’s vision for the club aligns with the traditions and expectations that have defined Manchester United for decades.

If results do not improve soon, United could be facing not only another season without silverware but also a long-term decline that could take years to reverse. The layoffs, the debt, and the questionable financial decisions are just symptoms of a much deeper problem one that will require more than cost-cutting measures to fix. Whether the club can find a way back to stability remains to be seen, but as things stand, the outlook for Manchester United has never looked bleaker.