Manchester United staff morale down as club cuts costs

Manchester United staff morale is down as the club are forced to exercise cost-cutting measures, according to the Daily Mail.

The ground staff, who are responsible for maintaining the pitches at Old Trafford, Carrington and the youth grounds, will no longer be paid for working overtime, a move that has been branded 'a disgrace' by some of them.

The staff, some of whom have served the club for decades, are being sent new contracts with these reduced pay structures. And if they refuse to sign them, they will be fired.

As a result, the staff morale is at an all-time low, with several layoffs expected as a series of budget-cutting methods.

The report adds that the delayed takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire founder of Ineos Group, has only worsened the situation as thousands of workers face uncertain futures.

Ratcliffe, who is a lifelong Manchester United fan, has agreed to buy a 25% stake in the club for £1.3 billion, but the deal has been stalled by the Glazer family, who currently own the club.

Ratcliffe has pledged to invest £245 million to improve the club's physical infrastructure, such as fixing Old Trafford and improving facilities at Carrington. He has also appointed Erik ten Hag, the former Ajax boss, as the new manager of the club.

However, until the takeover is completed, the club are struggling to cope with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which has reduced their revenues and increased their debts.

Manchester United are currently 8th in the Premier League table. They will face fulham on Saturday, hoping to bounce back from the humiliating 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the derby.