Let them eat fruit

Ratcliffe ditches Old Trafford staff canteen and targets jobs

25 Feb 2025 - The Guardian

Exclusive Jamie Jackson

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will close the staff canteen at Old Trafford and replace free lunches with fruit. Manchester United’s largest single minority shareholder will also implement a similar move at United’s Carrington training base, with only players receiving lunch for free. Non-playing staff there will be offered soup and bread.

The news emerged before an allstaff meeting at Old Trafford’s Manchester Suite yesterday when the club’s chief executive, Omar Berrada, confirmed the closure of the staff canteen and other key decisions, including confirmation that there will be more redundancies. No questions were taken at the briefing.

While he did not inform the hundreds of staff how many of them would lose their jobs, Berrada apologised for saying in September there would be no more cuts after Ratcliffe’s initial round of about 250. Afterwards employees received an email, just after 3pm, informing them the number of redundancies will be “150-200”. There are 900 members of staff.

The staff canteen at Old Trafford, which usually opens from 11.30am to 1.30pm, is expected to be shut at the end of the week. Employees currently gain entry via a pass that allows free hot meals and tea and coffee, with some soft drinks charged for.

Instead of lunch, free fruit will be available for those working at the stadium. Casual match-day employees will continue to receive a packed lunch. The club believe £1m will be saved by ending free lunches.

United announced a “transformation plan” that was outlined in a statement yesterday. “The transformation plan aims to return the club to profitability after five consecutive years of losses since 2019,” it said. “This will create a more solid financial platform from which the club can invest in men’s and women’s football success and improved infrastructure.

“As part of these measures, the club anticipates that approximately 150-200 jobs may be made redundant, subject to a consultation process with employees.”

Berrada added: “We deeply regret the impact on those affected colleagues. However, these hard choices are necessary to put the club back on a stable financial footing. We have lost money for the past five consecutive years. This cannot continue. Our two main priorities as a club are delivering success on the pitch for our fans and improving our facilities. We cannot invest in these objectives if we are continuously losing money.”