Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his collaborators took charge of Manchester United’s day-to-day operations, they have made bold decisions aimed at cutting costs and streamlining the club’s financial structure. These measures have included laying off 250 employees, reducing Christmas bonuses for staff, and implementing higher ticket prices for fans. While these steps may be seen as necessary for improving the club’s financial standing, they have not been met with universal approval, especially among the supporters.
The mood at Old Trafford has reached a particularly low point as the team’s performance on the pitch has failed to match the expectations set for the club. Under manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United has found itself languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, which has compounded the frustration of fans. Many supporters may have been more accepting of the financial austerity measures had the team been performing better, but with the club’s struggles, the discontent has intensified.
Former United player Paul Scholes, a club legend who spent his entire playing career at Carrington, voiced his disappointment with the current direction under the ownership of INEOS. During an appearance on The Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes lamented that the changes made by Ratcliffe and his team have not resulted in any tangible improvements for the club. He expressed his dissatisfaction with how the new owners have managed the club, suggesting that they have yet to achieve any positive outcomes since taking control a year ago.
Scholes was particularly vocal about the issue of ticket prices, describing the cost of £66 for a matchday ticket as “ridiculous.” He pointed out the socio-economic reality of Manchester, where many areas face economic hardship, and noted that Sir Jim Ratcliffe himself comes from Failsworth, a deprived area of Greater Manchester. Scholes’ comments reflect a deeper concern about the accessibility of the club for working-class fans, many of whom might find the rising ticket prices a burden.
The general sentiment among fans and pundits is that while cost-cutting measures may be necessary for long-term sustainability, they need to be balanced with on-field success and the well-being of the club’s community. As of now, with the team’s struggles continuing, the supporters remain disillusioned and more critical of the ownership’s decisions.