Manchester United employees are feeling the effects of ongoing budget cuts under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
In a move that’s raising eyebrows, the club has reportedly shut down its paid-for staff canteen, replacing free meals with fruit as part of broader financial cutbacks.
Staff Canteen Closed as Part of Budget Cuts
The decision to close the staff canteen at Old Trafford, as reported by The Guardian, means employees will no longer have access to free hot meals, tea, and coffee.
Instead, fruit will be provided as a substitute.
The changes are expected to take effect by the end of the week, marking another cost-saving measure under Ratcliffe’s leadership.
At Carrington, the training ground, meal options are also being scaled back.
According to The Sun, staff outside the first-team squad will now only be served soup and sandwiches.
Cutbacks Affect More Than Just Daily Meals
The financial restrictions aren’t stopping at food services.
The club has also reduced funding for a charity supporting former players and increased ticket prices for fans.
Even the youth teams are feeling the pinch—Manchester United’s Under-18 squad was denied the chance to play their FA Youth Cup match at Old Trafford.
Instead, to save £8,000, their clash with Tranmere Rovers was moved to Leigh Sports Village.
Big Spending Behind the Scenes Raises Questions
While cost-cutting is impacting various areas of the club, Manchester United has still been spending heavily on managerial changes.
The club reportedly paid close to £15 million to part ways with Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth, while also spending £9.2 million to bring in Ruben Amorim from Sporting.
Struggles on the Pitch Continue
On the field, United’s performances have been far from convincing.
They currently sit 15th in the Premier League, barely edging ahead of West Ham on goal difference.
Their latest match against Everton ended in a 2-2 draw, salvaged only after a disappointing first half.
Everton, managed by former United boss David Moyes, dominated early on, leaving Amorim frustrated with his team’s lack of presence.
Amorim Reacts to Underwhelming Performance
After the match, Amorim didn’t hold back, admitting that his team was practically nonexistent in the first half.
“We just played one half and we managed to draw the game. We didn’t exist in the first half.
Everything we did in the week, I think the free man was there, I think the space was there, but we lost balls we cannot lose.”
Despite the struggles, he emphasized the positives from the second half, where United showed more energy and tactical discipline.
What’s Next for United?
With financial cutbacks affecting club operations and performances on the pitch still lacking consistency, the pressure is mounting on Ratcliffe’s leadership.
Fans will be eager to see if these cost-saving measures translate into long-term stability—or if they signal deeper trouble ahead.
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