SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has replaced Manchester United’s £100 staff Christmas bonus with a £40 M&S voucher in his latest money-saving measure.
The British billionaire, 72, continues to cut costs in a drastic attempt to balance the books at Old Trafford.
And morale among employees no doubt took another hit when news of the changes to their Christmas gifts was announced.
As reported by The Telegraph, when the Glazers ran the operation, United usually gave their staff at Christmas an extra £100.
However, as the first anniversary of Ratcliffe’s 27.7 per cent takeover on Christmas Eve approaches, he is not feeling very generous during the festive season.
And the cash gift was swapped out for the gift card to spend at Marks & Spencer.
The PR own goal disaster prompted a wave of reaction from fans on social media hitting out at the club’s hierarchy.
One said: “When people are reminiscing fondly about the Glazers, you know things are properly grim.”
Another wrote: “Bizarre… yet an extra £10k a week on a player wouldn’t even be flinched at.”
A third joked: “Anyone started a gofundme to top up the Man Utd’s £40 M&S gift voucher?”
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And a final user fumed: “SJR: The billionaire who cancels Christmas parties at Manchester United and swaps £100 bonuses for £40 M&S vouchers. Who needs the Grinch when you’ve got Scrooge Jim.”
The tightening of the purse strings follows news that broke in October that Ratcliffe had cancelled the traditional United staff Christmas party.
Elsewhere, Ratcliffe made 250 redundancies in the summer including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie.
Matchday staff lunchboxes were scrapped, with suggestions that some workers even ate their food next to the toilet.
Ratcliffe’s “back to work” policy forced all employees back into the office – even though there is not enough space, prompting the club to fork out to temporarily convert hospitality suites into offices between home matches.
Private chauffeurs and company credit cards for the United top brass were also cut while staff had to pay for their transport to the FA Cup final, where they were only given one ticket each.
Fans have been hit, too, with the club deciding to ditch concessions tickets for pensioners and children, raising the minimum home ticket price to £66 – sparking furious protests outside Old Trafford.
There were also suggestions Ratcliffe plans to half the £40,000 annual budget given to the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association.
RATCLIFFE’S FIRST YEAR AT MAN UTD
December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington
January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added
March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move
March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football
March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford
March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December
April 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled
April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton
May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanliness
May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof
May 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish
May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy
May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket
May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed
May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result
June 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground
June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into office
June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team
July 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board
July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125
July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie
August 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window
August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet
October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson
October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled
October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause
November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim
November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings
November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association
December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century”
December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director
December 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
