MANCHESTER UNITED chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has axed the club’s Christmas party.
The ruthless decision is the latest cost-cutting measure by the British billionaire.
Staff at Man Utd normally enjoy a Christmas bash in the build-up to December 25.
But the celebration for behind-the-scenes employees has been cancelled by Ratcliffe, according to The Athletic.
The party for the players is seemingly still going ahead, should manager Erik ten Hag allow it after a nightmare start to the season.
Ratcliffe’s plans to cut overheads at Old Trafford have seen him stop paying Sir Alex Ferguson his £2.16m-a-year.
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The legendary boss became the club’s global ambassador soon after he walked away from the dugout in 2013.
But the deal has been torn up in an amicable decision between both men.
Man Utd will continue to employ Fergie as a non-executive director and he will always be welcome at games.
Since buying a 27.7 per cent of the club and taking charge of football operations, Ratcliffe has let 250 employees go.
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Ineos’ cost cutting methods have also seen private chauffeurs and company credit cards axed.
Staff and the players’ Wags had to pay for their own transport to the FA Cup final in May.
And other perks like lunch, accommodation, extra tickets and a post-match party were scrapped.
What we know about the ‘new’ Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.
However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
