Manchester United cuts 322 jobs amid major restructuring
The club's workforce has shrunk by 28.6% under Jim Ratcliffe's management, with total debt now exceeding £1.1 billion.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: TheGarvitGupta
Manchester United has cut 322 jobs as part of a significant cost-optimization program initiated since Jim Ratcliffe took control of the club's operations. According to financial reports, the staff count has dropped from 1,127 to 805 over the past two years, marking a 28.6% reduction.
The media and commercial departments faced the heaviest cuts, with staff numbers reduced by 45% and 44% respectively. Administrative roles, including ticketing, saw 161 positions eliminated, while 60 roles were removed from the football operations, including scouting and academy staff.
Ratcliffe launched these measures following his entry into the club's management in February 2024. The objective is to redirect funds toward strengthening the first-team squad. While the club successfully shifted from a £70 million operating loss in 2024 to an operating profit of £22.6 million for the 2025/26 season, financial challenges persist.
The club posted a pre-tax loss of £47 million for the last financial year, marking seven consecutive years of losses. Total debt and outstanding transfer obligations have climbed to £1.15 billion. Manchester United also raised an additional £90 million to finance summer spending, with total expenditure on new signings reaching £191.7 million including agency fees.