In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the football world, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has officially confirmed the sacking of 200 club employees just days after the team’s crushing Europa League exit — a decision that has ignited fury among fans and deep concern from several of the club’s most iconic former players.
The layoffs, described by Ratcliffe as part of a “strategic restructuring” effort to streamline operations, come in the wake of United’s humiliating performance in Europe, where they were knocked out in dramatic and disappointing fashion. But instead of targeting sporting leadership or player accountability, the cost-cutting measures have hit the staff — from marketing and administration to long-serving members behind the scenes who helped keep the club running during difficult years.
In an official statement released this morning, Ratcliffe said:
“Manchester United must evolve into a leaner, more efficient organization if we are to return to the pinnacle of world football. This process, while difficult, is necessary for the future stability and success of the club.”
However, the reaction has been swift and brutal.
Former club legend Gary Neville took to social media, slamming the decision as “soulless and cowardly,” writing:
“You don’t rebuild Manchester United by firing the very people who’ve kept its spirit alive behind the scenes. This is disgraceful.”
Fellow icons such as Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand reportedly expressed private disgust at the timing and nature of the cuts, with Keane allegedly telling sources:
“You lose a game and sack the workers? That’s not leadership. That’s running scared.”
Outside Old Trafford, fan groups have already begun organizing protests, with the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust releasing a scathing open letter accusing the club’s ownership of prioritizing financial optics over loyalty and human dignity:
“These are not just employees — they are the lifeblood of Manchester United. To cast them aside so coldly, days after a footballing failure caused by mismanagement at the top, is not only wrong — it’s shameful.”
This latest controversy adds to the growing tension surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stewardship of the club. While many had hoped his INEOS-led investment would usher in a new era of stability and ambition, the decision to cut jobs instead of addressing sporting leadership has fueled skepticism and distrust among the fanbase.
As the 2024–25 season draws to a close, Manchester United now faces not only a crisis of results, but a crisis of identity. And for many, the question is clear:
