Following the acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United at the end of last year, British tycoon Ratcliffe has transformed himself into the new focus of the team. The businessman, known as the "King of Chemicals", has a reputation for cost-cutting, and under his leadership, United has not only laid off 250 staff, but also drastically cut staff benefits. The Daily Mail revealed that United canceled the catering package for the staff on the match day, making some of the staff have to eat next to the toilet, which is an embarrassing scene.
Manchester United's new management has reviewed all aspects of the club's finances, with lean budgeting everywhere. The new cuts were introduced when United hosted Fulham in the Premier League opener, eliminating the practice of providing food packages to staff. In the old days, every member of staff at United's home match days received a package containing sandwiches, cereal, potato chips and a drink, however today they are only given leftovers from the company's clients in a jaw-dropping change.
However, United was quick to clarify that the same food was being served to staff and fans, calling it "head to tail" and tailor-made for staff. At the same time, United also pointed out that much of the food in the old catering package had been wasted because it had not been dried, so adjustments were made.
A United employee revealed that they even had to set up their dining table next to the toilets. The awkward scene was unbearable: "It's so unhygienic when someone comes out of the toilet only to find that you're sitting in front of them eating." In response, Manchester United responded that the staff dining area is a separate room with only one toilet next to it.
Manchester United is not only stingy in the treatment of its staff, it is equally harsh on its fans. The club canceled the practice of providing free matchday magazines to box fans, which caused a lot of fans' dissatisfaction: "We spent a lot of money to buy tickets, but we don't even have a copy of the field magazine, the ball club is really stingy." Manchester United said that too many magazines were discarded after the match, resulting in waste, and that fans could scan the QR code on their cell phones to view the e-magazine.
Manchester United spent nearly US$150 million this summer to acquire new players and extend the contract of captain Nandis, whose weekly salary is as high as £350,000 (about HK$3.5 million), becoming the team's "emperor of employees". At the same time in the United earn a lot of money, the only ordinary staff and fans in the shrinkage, let a person saddened.
