Source: REUTERS/Phil Noble
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, Manchester United owner Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS Group plan to conduct another round of large-scale layoffs, considering the dismissal of over 100 staff. Last year, Manchester United already cut over 250 employees as part of a cost-cutting plan. Reports indicate that the club will lay off staff again, with insiders expecting the number of cuts to exceed 100 but be under 200. INEOS’s move aims to free up funds for player recruitment for the first team. Meanwhile, Manchester United continues to evaluate the situation of its employees. Before Ratcliffe acquired a 25% stake in the club, Manchester United had 1,112 employees, the highest among Premier League clubs. This number is significantly higher than that of other Big 6 clubs; for instance, Manchester City employed only 520 at the same time. Despite the club’s record revenue, Manchester United has lost £300 million over the past three years. Although Ratcliffe has invested approximately £241 million, there are still fundamental issues at Old Trafford that need to be addressed. Additionally, Manchester United is considering building a new stadium with a capacity of 100,000 or carrying out a major renovation of Old Trafford, for which the club needs to raise funds while complying with Premier League profit and sustainability regulations.