Man Utd's Victory Lap Over Ruthless Job Cuts Leaves Fans Disgusted
The central theme emerging from Manchester United's recent financial reports is that the cost-reduction measures implemented by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe are delivering results. However, the triumphant tone of such declarations seems inappropriate considering the broader circumstances and those who have borne the burden.
The Red Devils revealed on Wednesday an operating profit of nearly £33 million ($44.6 million) for the initial half of 2025–26, ending Dec. 31, 2025. This represents a substantial improvement from the £3.9 million operating deficit recorded during the corresponding period the previous year.
"We are witnessing the beneficial financial effects of our behind-the-scenes transformation manifest in both our expenses and profitability," chief executive Omar Berrada declared with pride.
A major portion of the "expenses" eliminated has been the workforce supporting Manchester United, ruthlessly dismissed. Up to 450 non-playing personnel have been terminated since the Ratcliffe regime commenced two years ago. For those remaining, workplace benefits—including complimentary daily meals provided by the club—have been severely reduced. There's recognition that staff already receive comparatively lower compensation working at Manchester United than they would in equivalent positions at other major corporations, given the emotional appeal of the organization.
"This isn't the responsibility of the employees losing their positions," Andy Mitten observed for The Athletic during summer 2024 when the initial wave of 250 redundancies occurred.
The well-informed creator of the United We Stand publication challenged a narrative suggesting the club was eliminating "deadweight" hindering United's progress, pointing instead to "squandered salaries" on underachieving players and the lasting consequences of 2005's debt-laden Glazer acquisition. "Many are capable and dedicated staff members. They committed themselves fully to United. They were respected and devoted to the club's prosperity."
Several months afterward, Manchester Evening News journalist Tyrone Marshall observed: "Manchester United enjoys portraying itself as one large family. It's something they capitalize on. It should be an extremely long time before anyone connected with United attempts to present this as a family club again. If it is, it's a heartless family with the happiness long since stripped away."
What Is Man Utd Without its People?
What Is Man Utd Without its People?
The organization originated in the 19th century as a working-class establishment serving its locality. Manchester itself has consistently been a progressive, innovative city, which explains why Ratcliffe's recent statements about immigrants in the U.K. were so painful.
United, where players established what became the Professional Footballers' Association in 1907, always seemed like a reflection of what Manchester, the city, embodied. Liverpool, despite being a fierce competitive opponent, maintains similar principles as an organization.
During the three months ending December 2025, United reduced £7.4 million from employee benefit costs compared to the identical period twelve months prior. This was, the club explains, "attributable to the effects of workforce reduction initiatives implemented during the previous year."
What does £7.4 million represent? During any three-month span, United will compensate Mason Mount alone, based on reported salary estimates, between £3–3.6 million. While not meant to isolate or particularly criticize Mount, it provides a crucial illustration due to his substantial wages against minimal on-field contribution and regular injury problems. In basic terms, hundreds of ordinary people losing employment only covers Mason Mount's compensation twice.
Expensive Mistakes a Bigger Problem Than Staff Costs
Expensive Mistakes a Bigger Problem Than Staff Costs
The costly errors that have defined the Ratcliffe period thus far, despite the billionaire's early emphasis that it was crucial to "proceed carefully to the correct solution, rather than rush to the wrong one," only amplifies the insult to dismissed staff and the club's family reputation.
Erik ten Hag received a contract extension in July 2024 shortly after the club had contemplated dismissing him, only to be fired less than four months later regardless. Terminating the Dutchman and replacing him with Ruben Amorim, who required release from his Sporting CP contract, cost £21.4 million.
It required another £4.1 million to dismiss Dan Ashworth from his short-lived position as sporting director, remarkably spending less time in the role than his gardening leave with previous employer Newcastle United. Ratcliffe had praised Ashworth as the type of "elite" executive Manchester United requires, but his destiny was determined when he didn't endorse pursuing Amorim. Ironic in retrospect.
The Portuguese manager followed Ashworth's departure 13 months later, clashing with replacement sporting director Jason Wilcox, having also presided over the club's poorest season in 51 years. The expense of dismissing Amorim will only be disclosed in the subsequent financials ending March 2026, but it's estimated he departed with a £10 million settlement—perhaps explaining his relaxed demeanor when photographed while recently unemployed—with a total recruitment-and-dismissal cost of £27 million.
Man Utd's Falling Revenue Needs Addressing
Man Utd's Falling Revenue Needs Addressing
As Mitten suggested, ordinary working individuals have suffered for the shortcomings of others. The incoming funds are directly connected to those performing on the field and the executives who sign them.
Income has declined across all areas for the first half of 2025–26.
There was a 3.2% decrease in the club's earnings for the opening half of this season versus last season. This has been most acutely experienced in commercial income (4.5%), which also represents the most profitable source—surpassing broadcast and matchday. For only the three months through December's end, commercial showed an even steeper 7.8% decline.
The reduction in commercial income can be partially attributed to United no longer having a training kit sponsor after a previous arrangement with Tezos concluded and wasn't renewed or substituted. The departure of Marriott International as a partner last summer was more regrettable due to the world's largest hotel company conducting its own restructuring and cost-reduction, but Manchester United, following an extended decline on the field spanning over a decade, is no longer as appealing as a partner.
During the shorter three-month October–December timeframe, a modest rise in broadcast income compared to the same period the previous season was attributed to holding a superior position in the Premier League. However, failure to secure European competition qualification negates increases and severely affects income. The club hasn't participated in the extremely profitable Champions League since the 2023–24 season.
Matchday income has decreased due to hosting more home cup matches last season, having been eliminated from both the Carabao Cup—under embarrassing conditions—and the FA Cup at the first opportunity. Without European participation either, this will be a 40-game season and consequently the club's briefest campaign in over a century since 1914–15.