Man Utd fans left furious as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s latest ‘decision’ comes amid further staff cuts – Man Utd

Manchester United’s minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly planning to announce more funding cuts – and fans have been furious.

The British billionaire recently increased his stake in the club from 25% to 28.94% as part of a pre-existing deal signed with the Glazers when he took minority control of the club last year.

He has invested a further £79.3m in the club – the last part of the guarantee that he will invest £238m in infrastructure.

It was originally announced last year that INEOS would take control of football operations, although The Athletic reported in January that United staff were informed that their role would be wider in scope and would include some commercial decisions.

Ratcliffe has implemented a number of cost-cutting measures since his arrival, an approach that has partly mirrored how INEOS has operated in restructuring other organisations.

Around 250 jobs have been cut since the arrival of the British billionaire, conformable Daily Mail, while he is said to have slashed staff Christmas bonuses. Paper i reported that the bonuses received by the stewards were also reduced. United have yet to officially comment on the claims.

Now Mark Kleinmann, Sky News City business editor rEPORTS that United are to announce they will cut funding to the club’s charitable arm, Manchester United Foundation.

The foundation works in local communities around Manchester to educate and support marginalized and disadvantaged young people using football and also holds sessions in local schools.

They also work closely with charities to organize “The dream daysfor children with life-limiting illnesses, where they have the opportunity to meet members of the first team squad and spend a day at the Carrington training ground and Old Trafford.

Man Utd defender Diogo Dalot pictured with two fans at one of the foundation’s ‘Dream Days’ (Image: Getty)

Sky claims United gave the foundation almost £1m in benefits last year, including almost £175,000 for charity services. However, they are reportedly planning to reduce this.

A club insider told Sky that United would continue to provide “significant support” to the foundation, adding: “All areas of the club’s spending are being reviewed due to ongoing losses.

“However, significant support for the Foundation will continue.”

A spokesman for the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust said the prospect of cuts was “another depressing example of the wrong priorities at United, reducing support for the community it aims to serve”.

United declined to comment in an official capacity when approached by Sky News. SPORTbible has also contacted Manchester United for comment.