SIR JIM RATCLIFFE is reportedly set to close the staff canteen at Old Trafford and replace the free lunches with FRUIT. The billionaire United shareholder is making controversial cuts to try and reduce the club's spending. And in Ratcliffe's latest move, he is poised to shut down United's Old Trafford staff canteen, according to The Guardian.
![[Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos CEO and Manchester United shareholder.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-manchester-unitedos-sir-jim-957885492_9ff8bc.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The canteen regularly opens from 11.30am to 1.30pm and staff are allowed free hot meals and tea and coffee. But instead, fruit will now be on offer for those working at the stadium - while casual matchday employees will continue to receive a packed lunch.
![[Ruben Amorim, Manchester United manager, sits on the sidelines looking distraught.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ruben-amorim-manager-manchester-united-974162288.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
SunSport revealed how similar measures have been taken at United's Carrington training base. Lunch options in the Carrington canteen has been reduced to just soup and sandwiches for everybody except first-team players. It comes after over 250 staff members were 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. Furthermore, United U18s were denied the chance to play at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup fifth round. 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.
August 2024 - Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window. August 2024 - Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet. October 2024 - Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson. October 2024 - Staff Christmas party cancelled.
October 2024 - "Back to work" policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches. October 2024 - Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m. November 2024 - Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause.
November 2024 - Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim. November 2024 - Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings. November 2024 - Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association.
