Man Utd lunches reduced to basics for all-but first team and kids denied Old Trafford game after Sir Jim Ratcliffe cuts

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has introduced another round of cuts to the Manchester United training ground - this time involving the food served in the canteen. The billionaire has made a host of changes behind the scenes at United since taking over last February.

Over 250 staff members have been axed, with many more set to follow in the coming weeks and months. Ratcliffe also cancelled the club's annual Christmas party, raised ticket prices and cut funding for a charity helping former players. And his latest attempt to save money has seen him limit the lunch options in the training ground canteen to just soup and sandwiches for everybody except first-team players.

Furthermore, Man Utd U18s were denied the chance to play at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup fifth round. Traditionally, the match would have been staged at United's main home, but instead it was played at the 12,000-capacity Leigh Sports Village, saving the club a total of £8,000.

Man Utd currently sit 15th in the Premier League table, only above West Ham on goal difference. Ruben Amorim recently admitted that he is managing the "worst Man Utd team" in history. The Red Devils salvaged a point at Goodison Park at the weekend after going 2-0 down against Everton.

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte struck in the second half to draw United level. After the match, head coach Amorim admitted he does not know how to fix the club's current crisis. He said: "I don't know what I need to do to bring more consistency. If I knew, I would change it.

"We have to continue to think in the next game, everything we do in the week we have to use it in the game. "If we do that, we are near to winning games like we did in the second half. In this moment we need to focus on day by day. We need to survive this season, and then to think ahead. We have so many problems.

"Then when we go to the game and let the time pass, it's really hard. I don't want to just say the negative part, the second half was so much better in the belief. In the end we were near to winning this game.". SIR JIM RATCLIFFE'S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 - and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since...

December 2023 - Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe's takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford. January 2024 - Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington. January 2024 - Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO.

February 2024 - Ratcliffe's £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed. February 2024 - Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added. March 2024 - Ratcliffe bans words "awesome" and "lukewarm cappuccino" in bizarre move.

March 2024 - Matt Johnson appointed head of women's football. March 2024 - Ratcliffe announces plans to build "Wembley of the North" to replace Old Trafford. March 2024 - Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 - down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December.

April 2024 - Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled. April 2024 - John Murtough quits as football director. April 2024 - Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton. May 2024 - Ratcliffe turns Carrington "toxic" after sending email to employees slamming "disgraceful" lack of cleanliness.

May 2024 - Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof. May 2024 - Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish. May 2024 - Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy. May 2024 - Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket.

May 2024 - Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed. May 2024 - Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result. June 2024 - Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground.

June 2024 - Ratcliffe introduces strict "back to work" policy forcing staff to come into office. June 2024 - Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women's team. July 2024 - Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation.

July 2024 - Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026. July 2024 - Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher's role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.

July 2024 - Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment. July 2024 - Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board. July 2024 - Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125. July 2024 - Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie.