Manchester United announce more redundancies - with free staff lunches scrapped

Manchester United could make up to a further 200 workers redundant after removing 250 roles last year.

A United statement on Monday revealed that the potential redundancies were aimed at returning the club to profitability after five consecutive years of losses.

The move comes just over a year after part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS organisation gained day-to-day control of football operations at the club.

The statement said the redundancies would be part of the club's "transformation plan", adding: "This will create a more solid financial platform from which the club can invest in men's and women's football success and improved infrastructure.

"As part of these measures, the club anticipates that approximately 150-200 jobs may be made redundant, subject to a consultation process with employees. These would be in addition to the 250 roles removed last year."

As well as the redundancies, the plan will see the end of free staff lunches at Old Trafford - saving over £1m per year, according to the club, while staff bonuses will be reduced.

The club's CEO Omar Berrada added: "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.

"We have lost money for the past five consecutive years. 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.

"At the end of this process, we will have a more lean, agile and financially sustainable football club, while continuing to provide a world-class service to our valuable commercial partners.

"We will then be in a much stronger position to invest in football success and improved facilities for fans, while remaining compliant with UEFA and Premier League regulations."

Club struggles on and off the pitch

Last week, United's quarterly accounts showed a loss of £27.7m for the period, with operating profit tumbling from £27.5m to £3m.

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The club used its financial woes to justify increasing ticket prices at Old Trafford, following complaints from fan groups last month.

"We are currently making a significant loss each year - totalling over £300m in the past three years," it said in response to the backlash.

"This is not sustainable and if we do not act now we are in danger of failing to comply with PSR/FFP requirements in future years and significantly impacting our ability to compete on the pitch."

It comes as turmoil on the pitch continues for the team, who currently sit 15th in the league under head coach Ruben Amorim.

The latest figures showed the decision to extend Amorim's predecessor Erik ten Hag's contract as head coach in the summer, only to fire him and his backroom staff nine games into this season, set United back around £10.4m.

The accounts also showed it cost United in excess of £4.1m in compensation and then severance to bring sporting director Dan Ashworth to the club and then sack him.

While Sir Jim is the face of the club's ruthless cost-cutting approach, majority owners the Glazers are widely blamed for the malaise and the debt, with many fans accusing them of draining the club of its resources for personal gain since taking it over in 2005.

(c) Sky News 2025: Manchester United announce more redundancies - with free staff lunches scrapped