A Year of Change at Manchester United: The Ratcliffe Era Begins
The year 2023 marked a significant turning point for Manchester United, when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority takeover was announced on Christmas Eve. This move, promising an investment of £245 million into Old Trafford, set the stage for a series of dramatic changes. Ratcliffe, known for his leadership at Ineos, wasted no time in making his mark. In January 2024, he and his right-hand man, Sir Dave Brailsford, were photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during a tour of Carrington, signaling the start of a new management era. Shortly after, Omar Berrada, a high-profile executive, was poached from Manchester City to serve as the new CEO, further solidifying the club’s commitment to transformation.
Early Moves and Controversies
February 2024 saw the official completion of Ratcliffe’s £1 billion, 27.7 per cent takeover. This was followed by significant personnel changes, with former CEO Richard Arnold stepping down from the board, and Ineos executives John Rees and Rob Nevin joining. Ratcliffe’s leadership, however, was not without its quirks. In a bizarre move, he banned the words "awesome" and "lukewarm cappuccino" within the club. Despite these eccentric decisions, Ratcliffe continued to make strides, appointing Matt Johnson as the head of women’s football and announcing ambitious plans to build a new stadium, dubbed the "Wembley of the North," to replace Old Trafford. However, these plans were met with skepticism, and the club’s share price on the NYSE dropped to $13.73 by March 21, down from $20.52 immediately after the takeover, reflecting investor concerns.
Challenges and Cuts
April 2024 brought more upheaval to the club. Senior staff club credit cards and private cars were cancelled, and John Murtough, the football director, announced his departure. Jason Wilcox was appointed as the new technical director after a compensation package was agreed with Southampton. Ratcliffe’s management style became increasingly controversial in May when he sent an email to employees criticizing the lack of cleanliness at Carrington, describing the conditions as "disgraceful." This led to a toxic work environment. Despite these challenges, work finally began on repairing the leaking roof at Old Trafford. However, the club’s poor performance on the field continued, with Manchester United finishing eighth in the Premier League, their worst-ever finish.
FA Cup Victory and Staff Redundancies
Amid the turmoil, Manchester United managed to shock their rivals, Manchester City, by winning the FA Cup. Despite the victory, there were rumors that Erik ten Hag would be sacked regardless of the outcome. The triumph was marred by Ratcliffe’s decision to give employees just one week to decide if they wanted to accept redundancy. Staff were also forced to pay for their own transport to the FA Cup final and were only given one ticket, with the pre-match party and hotel for senior staff being axed. These decisions further strained relations between the new management and the club’s workforce.
New Appointments and Further Cuts
June 2024 saw the club announce a £50 million plan to upgrade the Carrington training ground. Ratcliffe also introduced a strict "back to work" policy, forcing staff to come into the office. This move, while intended to improve productivity, was costly for the club, as they had to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches. Ratcliffe’s comments about the women’s team sparked controversy, leading to further criticism. In July, Dan Ashworth was finally brought in as the sporting director after a four-month gardening leave at Newcastle, with the club paying £3 million in compensation. Erik ten Hag signed a shock new contract extension until 2026, and several new assistant managers and coaches were appointed, including Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake. However, this period was also marked by significant redundancies, with 250 staff members, including popular figures like John Allen, Cliff Butler, and Alex Wylie, losing their jobs.
Financial Troubles and Fan Protests
By August 2024, Manchester United had spent £199 million in the summer transfer window, but the club’s financial troubles continued. Matchday staff lunchboxes were scrapped, and some were forced to eat beside the toilet. In October, the club stopped paying Sir Alex Ferguson’s £2 million-a-year ambassador salary, and the staff Christmas party was cancelled. The "back to work" policy was costing the club a fortune, and Ratcliffe’s cuts to the £40,000 budget paid to the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association in December further fueled fan discontent. Fans protested after the club ditched OAP and children concessions tickets and raised the minimum home ticket cost to £66. The year ended on a low note, with Dan Ashworth being sacked after just five months as sporting director, and a reported mice infestation at Old Trafford leading to a drop in food hygiene ratings to just two stars. Ratcliffe’s admission that Manchester United was "still in the last century" and his decision to cut the £100 staff Christmas bonus to a £40 M&S voucher further highlighted the challenges and controversies that marked his first year in charge.
