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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been making all the right moves since his purchase of a minority stake in Manchester United was announced.
From not making any public comments on Erik ten Hag’s future, so as to not intensify any pressure on him, to approaching some of the best footballing minds in Europe to transform Man United’s football structure, his actions have backed up his words.
What has impressed United fans even more is the pace at which INEOS have acted so far. Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox have already been announced as the club’s new CEO and technical director respectively.
The new decision-makers have also received plaudits for their plans to address Old Trafford’s deteriorating condition. While fans are absolutely buzzing with their promises and signals, United staff have been left “dismayed” by one of their decisions.
According to The Times, INEOS have cancelled the traditional perks for the FA Cup final.
It is reported that in the past United’s staff members would receive free tickets to FA Cup finals, with “senior staff and directors able to take friends and family — plus travel to and from Wembley, a pre-match lunch, an after-match party and hotel accommodation in London.”
United, who are set to face Manchester City in the FA Cup final this season, have seemingly made a decision to change this “tradition”.
It is understood that on Thursday “staff received an email detailing how they would receive only one ticket — with the same limit applied to directors — and would have to pay £20 for coach travel to and from Wembley on the day of the game.”
Further, all the other benefits are no longer available for the 1,100-strong workforce to enjoy during the Wembley outing.
However, this may have not come as a surprise to staff as INEOS have already taken cost-cutting measures, having appointed corporate restructuring firm Interpath Advisory to review the club’s business earlier this year.
Early in April, a report from ESPN claimed that United had cancelled the corporate credit cards of senior figures.
How much such moves would influence United’s fight against financial sustainability regulations remains unclear. But one thing is sure, fans are likely to celebrate any decision that may end up helping the club in the transfer market down the road.
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