For previous FA Cup finals, including last year’s defeat against City, all 1,100 staff who work for United would receive free tickets. Senior staff and directors would be able to take friends and family.
Included in that deal for United’s most senior hierarchy was reportedly travel to and from Wembley, a pre-match party, a post-match lunch and hotel accommodation in London. But that is set to change under INEOS’s watch, with Ratcliffe stripping perks for the upcoming showdown with City.
According to The Times, an email received by club staff informed them that they would receive only one free ticket to the match. The same limit applies to senior staff and directors.
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Individuals are being told they must also pay £20 for coach travel to and from Wembley, with a one-way ticket costing £10. All other benefits have reportedly gone. It is claimed that some United insiders see it as an austerity-driven cost-cutting measure from Ratcliffe and his INEOS colleagues.
Ratcliffe has reportedly been concerned over the club’s expenditure since arriving and is determined to keep United within profit and sustainability limits. Indeed, the email sent to staff discusses the need to invest as much money as possible to ensure the club returns to the elite of European and world football.
The alleged email reads: “There is still hard work ahead over the coming weeks, but I know everyone at the club is completely focused on delivering the performances and results expected of Manchester United and finding ways to win in whatever role you do.
“In recognition of your ongoing support this season, we will organise a colleague trip to Wembley for the final on 25 May. This year, the trip will be a little different. We will still provide you with a complimentary ticket to the game. However, we’ll ask you to contribute towards coach travel, and lunch will not be provided.
“While we appreciate this is a change from previous trips, you will all be aware of the need for us to spend the club’s money effectively, with a focus on performance and outcomes. We hope that this year’s trip balances the opportunity for you to go to Wembley to support our players while also ensuring we can invest as much as possible into the club over the coming months to achieve our goal of returning Manchester United back to the top of English, European and world football.”
Meanwhile, The Athletic report that Dan Ashworth is set to take Newcastle to arbitration in an attempt to move to United, where he would become sporting director. The former FA technical director has been placed on an 18-month gardening leave period by the Magpies following an approach by the Red Devils.
The case, which will start in May, is reportedly expected to last ‘weeks’. Ratcliffe has made public his desire to appoint the highly-rated Ashworth as part of a restructuring of the Old Trafford hierarchy.
