Sir Ratcliffe makes dramatic move to cut costs following INEOS' part-takeover'

Manchester United have reportedly invited staff to take voluntary redundancy - with employees given just a week to decide their future.

An email was sent to non-playing staff en-masse on Tuesday and impacts those working at Old Trafford and Carrington and in their London office.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is seeking to clash costs after completing a £1.3billion deal to take over 27.7 per cent of the club - and footballing operations - in February.

United's staff costs were £95.1million in the latest reporting period, with their wage bill for 2022-23 totalling £384.1m.

Now employees have been given up to June 5 to decide if they want to stay as part of a 'voluntary resignation' process, as per The Athletic.

Playing staff and scouts are exempt from the move.

Workers who leave will be paid an early bonus - otherwise in September - and for some this can reacha  four-figure sum, according to The Guardian.

United posted record revenue of £648.4m in their 2022-23 accounts but lost £42m.

Earlier this month, Ratcliffe ordered staff to come into the office or 'seek alternative employment', and full-time hours in office will be mandatory from June 1.

The billionaire's aim is to transform an ailing club from top to bottom, overhauling the work culture and boosting efficiency.

United's redundancy process represents an opportunity for those who diagree with the stringent approach to office attendance to leave.

That is not the only change that will have irked staff this month.

Some Manchester United employees were left fuming after the club treated the players’ wives and girlfriends to a swanky meal at a top restaurant — 24 hours after scrapping FA Cup final perks for the rank and file.

In a tradition thought to date back to Sir Matt Busby, Old Trafford staff have been given free tickets plus travel to and from Wembley, a pre-match lunch, an after-match party and accommodation in the capital. Senior staff and directors could also take friends and family.

However, in a decision taken by new investors Ineos, employees were told they would only receive one ticket and have to pay £20 for a coach to the stadium for their derby under the arch against Manchester City, with all other benefits axed.

An email outlining the changes did not go down well with staff and some were further agitated to learn 24 hours later that the other halves of United’s highly-paid stars were out for lunch — with the club picking up the tab.

The partners of players including Scott McTominay, Luke Shaw, Antony and Aaron Wan-Bissaka headed out to posh restaurant San Carlo, and were spotted leaving with Harvey Nichols and Manchester United-branded goody bags.

‘It’s a bit of a kick in the teeth,’ one employee, who did not wish to be named, told Mail Sport. ‘The trip to Wembley has been a tradition that staff have enjoyed for years.

'It’s a thank you for the work that we do and it means when the team does well, we all get rewarded. Clearly they are cutting costs but to see that less than a day later the WAGs are out on the town with the club paying the bill is a bit rich.’

United insiders dismissed the disgruntlement, pointing out that the club has what it believes to be the best player-care department in the top flight.

This ensures that the most important people at the club — the players — are looked after in a comfortable environment.

Indeed, the lunch is thought to have been one of a number of social events on the calendar. The view is that the happiness of the players’ families is essential to keeping Erik ten Hag’s squad settled and helps expensive acquisitions feel welcomed at the club.

United went on to beat City 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday courtesy of goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.