Sir Jim Ratcliffe has scrapped employee perks for the FA Cup final (Picture: PA)
Manchester United staff have reportedly been left ‘dismayed’ after INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting saw the removal of employee perks for the upcoming FA Cup final.
Erik ten Hag’s side threatened a historic collapse against Coventry City after squandering a 3-0 lead against the Championship side in normal time but eked through to next month’s final after a penalty shootout victory.
United will face rivals Manchester City in the showpiece event for a second successive season but the occasion will be markedly different for the club’s staff after a decision from the club’s new co-owners.
In the past, staff members had received multiple tickets for friends and family which also came with free transport to the game.
Club directors were also treated to a pre-match meal as well as a party and accommodation in London following the fixture.
However, according to The Times, those benefits have now been scrapped, with all staff members and directors now gifted just one ticket and required to pay for their own transport – a £20 return fare for a coach to Wembley.
It marks the latest in a number of cost-cutting measures from INEOS as they look to curb expenses and help United, who spent £183.5 million on new signings last summer, comply with profit and sustainability rules.
Manchester United reached the FA Cup final after a shootout victory against Coventry City (Getty)
Earlier in the month, the club removed company credit cards for some senior figures while also scaling back the use of private chauffeurs for some of the backroom staff.
In an email announcing the latest changes, which has been seen by the Times, the club noted that this year’s Wembley trip would ‘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,’ the email continued.
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‘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.’
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