Manchester United have announced plans to make up to 200 more staff redundant, continuing a series of cost-cutting measures aimed at stabilizing the club’s finances.
This latest round of job losses follows the departure of around 250 employees last summer, meaning nearly 450 staff will have left since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took over as co-owner in February 2024.
United’s Financial Struggles
The decision comes as United reported losses exceeding £300 million ($379m) over the last three years. Their latest financial results revealed a drop in revenues from £225.8m to £198.7m in the final three months of 2024.
CEO Omar Berrada justified the layoffs in a statement on Monday:
“We have a responsibility to put Manchester United in the strongest position to win across our men’s, women’s, and academy teams.”
We are initiating a wide-ranging series of measures which will transform and renew the club.
“Unfortunately, this means announcing further potential redundancies and we deeply regret the impact on those affected colleagues.”
“However, these hard choices are necessary to put the club back on a stable financial footing.”
Other Cost-Cutting Measures
Beyond redundancies, United are implementing other austerity measures, including:
Relocating some staff from Old Trafford to the Carrington training ground.
Reducing the club’s presence at its London office in Mayfair.
Ending free lunches at Old Trafford, a move expected to save over £1m annually.
Focusing charitable donations on the Manchester United Foundation and the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association.
What’s Next for United?
Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group, which took over 25% ownership and control of football operations, has been pushing for a leaner, more efficient structure.
However, these financial struggles could impact future transfer market ambitions, particularly as United seek to comply with Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Despite these challenges, Berrada insists that success on the pitch remains the priority:
“We have lost money for the past five consecutive years,” Berrada added.
“This cannot continue. Our two main priorities as a club are delivering success on the pitch for our fans and improving our facilities. We cannot invest in these objectives if we are continuously losing money.”
Affected employees will be notified between April and June.
