CLASSY Bruno Fernandes has been spotted taking an ex-Manchester United employee out for lunch.Former communications officer, John Allen, was made by redundant last summer amid a brutal wave of job cuts that saw 250 people lose their jobs.Bruno Fernandes was seen going out for lunch with John Allen, Man Utd’s former press officerCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeThe duo headed to Juniper in Wilmslow on Monday afternoonCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeAllen, who worked at the club for 25 years, was one of 250 staff made redundant during last summer’s brutal 250 job cutsCredit: SuppliedSir Jim Ratcliffe has been wielding the axe since arriving at Old Trafford as the part-owner makes swinging cuts to the club’s budget. Despite being forced out, Allen has not lost contact with senior figures at the club, as shown by him joining Red Devils captain Fernandes for lunch.The pair were seen heading to Juniper in Wilmslow, a hotspot for Man Utd players to enjoy a spot of lunch.Allen had worked at Man Utd for 25 years, starting in the ticket office before moving into the media department in 2011, before he lost his job under Ratcliffe’s Ineos regime.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPaying tribute to his two-and-a-half decades of service at Old Trafford in September, then manager Erik ten Hag presented a special Man Utd shirt with the No25 to him during Allen’s final press conference.Ten Hag, himself sacked by Man Utd a month later, said in a speech: “John, 25 years is a very long time. You are proud of this club and proud that you worked here. “You feel so connected with this club. It is a difficult moment to say goodbye.“I know you as a good colleague and a very good support for me.Most read in Football“I wish you all the best for what is coming, it will be great for you because you are so competent.“I wish you all the best in your work but also for your family, too.”’As a player yeah but…’ – Luke Littler forces Roy Keane to agree on Bruno Fernandes but Man Utd legend still makes digSunSport’s Neil Custis wrote at the time: “The regular United press pack also gave him a present. It all had the air of a happy retirement but it wasn’t, this bloke was getting the shove and he didn’t want to go.”Pausing to hold back the tears, John said: “It has been the biggest honour coming from Manchester to work with all these managers.“This is my club and to be able to do this, I am very lucky.”In February of this year, months after the first round of cuts, it was confirmed by the club that as many as 200 more jobs would be lost.A club statement said: “Manchester United is to transform its corporate structure as part of a series of additional measures to improve the club’s financial sustainability and enhance operational efficiency.”The transformation plan aims to return the club to profitability after five consecutive years of losses since 2019.”This will create a more solid financial platform from which the club can invest in men’s and women’s football success and improved infrastructure.”As part of these measures, the club anticipates that approximately 150-200 jobs may be made redundant, subject to a consultation process with employees.”These would be in addition to the 250 roles removed last year.”Man Utd ratings vs Newcastle as Zirkzee does well before injury but dropped Onana’s stand-in has a shockerMANCHESTER UNITED’S worst ever Premier League season was confirmed with a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.The Red Devils are now guaranteed to finish on less than 56 points, which is their lowest ever Prem total.And they can only get that high if they win ALL of their last six games.If they’re not careful, they could even finish 17th – just one spot above the marooned bottom three.It was another dark day that reflects a poor campaign for United as Newcastle carved them open with ease in the second-half.Ruben Amorim dropped keeper Andre Onana after his horror show against Lyon midweek.But stand-in Altay Bayindir had a game to forget too.Sandro Tonali’s volley, a double by Harvey Barnes and a Bruno Guimaraes finish cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho’s goal.Here is how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated the United performances…SunSport exclusively revealed how lunches for all but the first team had been reduced to soup and sandwiches — and that includes coaches and analysts, with a later report from The Guardian revealing the staff canteen was set to CLOSE altogether.Ending free lunches for staff is estimated to be saving the club £1million a year, while the club will also be scaling back its London presence, according to BBC Sport.The situation is no better on the pitch, with Man Utd 14th in the Premier League after a heavy 4-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday.Fernandes and co face a make-or-break Europa League second leg clash against Lyon at Old Trafford this Thursday.Read More on The SunFailing to win the game, and being eliminated from any chance of winning qualifying for the Champions League by winning the competition, would deal further damage to the club’s already disastrously low coffers.Although an FA report published yesterday revealed Man Utd spent £33m on agent fees between February 2024 and February 2025, the third highest in the division behind Chelsea (£60m) and Man City (£52m).Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year at Man UtdSIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old TraffordJanuary 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin addedMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre moveMarch 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s footballMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old TraffordMarch 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in DecemberApril 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanlinessMay 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roofMay 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticketMay 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axedMay 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of resultJune 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into officeJune 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s teamJuly 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensationJuly 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex WylieAugust 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toiletOctober 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex FergusonOctober 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matchesOctober 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15mNovember 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters AssociationDecember 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century” December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting directorDecember 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucherDecember 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to BournemouthDecember 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two starsDecember 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity More