Manchester United have issued a statement explaining the recent offer of a ‘redundancy’ package to staff if they tender their resignation before next Wednesday.
Under Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s guidance, the club reportedly sent around a blanket email last Friday to those working throughout the administration offering early payment of an annual bonus to anyone who doesn’t wish to return to United’s offices as the new co-owner aims to end working from home (WFH).
As per The Athletic, the new minority shareholder – who controls a 27.7% stake since his partial takeover in December 2023 – has issued a directive that staff must return to the office from 1 June, giving them a deadline of 12 noon on 5 June to decide whether they want to remain or not.
Following the apparent resignation terms, a club spokesperson has since qualified that while the offer was indeed sent en masse to existing staff, it is “isn’t a voluntary redundancy programme” and is simply offering those who don’t want to “work from the office full time” with an alternative.
🚨 United have made it compulsory to work from their offices in Manchester or London from 1 June. Staff have been offered early payment of an annual bonus if they resign by next Wednesday, as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s edict to get all employees into the club’s offices and his… pic.twitter.com/e8IDR8G8Sk
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) May 28, 2024
According to the representative, the package is there to “provide options for staff who don’t wish to return to the office to step away now”, with the outlet adding that the offer is also available to those who already work exclusively in-office but would like to leave with a payout.
ADVERTISEMENT
This comes after Ratcliffe recently noted the lack of email traffic and queries being answered since WFH was made available following the pandemic, which came not long after he took aim at the untidiness around the club, labelling the state of several facilities as a “disgrace”.
The regular and potentially substantial bonus for many is still due in September but the idea seems to be to streamline United’s workforce as part of INEOS overhaul of the club’s financial strategy. The footballing giants have offices both here in Manchester and London.
ADVERTISEMENT
As per multiple sources, the email reads: “To ensure we have enough space for colleagues to work safely, we will convert the Trinity Club, the Knights Lounge and the 1999 Suite in East Stand into office space. This is in addition to existing facilities in the Engine Room and elsewhere across the stadium…
“The London office will be reconfigured to allow additional space for teams. Some teams will also be based at the Ineos office at Hans Crescent in Knightsbridge.”
For balance, for many years, people at United have said the workforce is bloated, questioned what some colleagues do. But worth remembering many people do that with colleagues at lots of organisations, kinda familiar conversation at large companies.
Ratcliffe is yet to fully install his new executive team as part of the rebuild, with CEO Omar Berrada having been appointed but not taking up his post until July, and Dan Ashworth still waiting to be dismissed by Newcastle United as he looks set to join the Red Devils.
ADVERTISEMENT
As for on the touchline, Erik ten Hag’s future remains undecided after talk that he will be sacked following the FA Cup final, with the likes of Ipswich manager, the 23/24 LMA Manager of the Year and former United youth coach Kieran McKenna having already held meetings with the club.
However, given the manner in which the Dutchman’s side won the historic fixture, beating rivals Man City with one of their best performances of the season, he could very well be given a restoration of faith.
Either way, there’s a lot of movement going on at Old Trafford and it remains to be seen how many staff will take United up on their resignation offer.
Startling statistic raises eyebrows around Manchester United’s defensive capabilities under Erik ten Hag
Danny Jones
Things continue to go from bad to worse for Manchester United this season and yet more unfortunate statistics following another chaotic showing have once again put their capabilities under Erik ten Hag, especially in defence, under scrutiny.
Man United got off to a dream start at the Estádio do Dragão against Porto, starting on the front foot and scoring two goals inside 20 minutes and from two sources who needed them most: Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund returning from injury.
However, it didn’t take long for the home team to pull one back – just a few minutes in fact – and then by the 50th minute the visitors suddenly found themselves losing 3-2 and chasing an equaliser into stoppage time.
Thankfully, Harry Maguire got them out of jail right at the death but it is that now apparent trend of conceding multiple goals in a short space of time that has raised even more serious questions around the team’s mentality, resilience after letting one in and ability to defend in general.
Just in Europe since the start of last season, Man United have conceded two goals in four minutes at Bayern, two in 10 mins vs Galatasaray (h), two in four minutes vs Copenhagen (a), two in nine minutes vs Galatasaray (a) and now two in seven minutes vs Porto (a).
As you can see, it’s not just that this was the 31st time since the beginning of last season that United have conceded two more goals in a match, the most any current Premier League club in that time, but it seems to be the short bursts in which these goals come.
As broken down by ESPN’s Rob Dawson, it seems to be a case of when it rains it pours as the above stat is in Europe alone, where they seem to be picking up even more bad habits on top of that immediate vulnerability after letting one in.
Despite it scoring 12 in their last four matches in Champions and Europa League competitions and even managing to go 2-0 up in three of them, they haven’t managed to win a single one, as the draw against the unconvincing Portuguese side also marked the fifth European game in which they’ve conceded a trio of goals at the other end.
Worse still, according to even more damning stats thrown up by Opta, this ultimately became the 24th time Erik ten Hag’s side has conceded three goals or more in a game – again, the most of any Premier League side and with several of those goals coming in short bursts.
Alarming stuff, but the Dutchman is keeping calm at least on the surface, telling media that he and the players are “mad and motivated” by the current situation but that fans have to remain patient and hopeful that the results will start to improve.
“Don’t judge us in this moment, wait until the end of the season. We’re in a process.”
Erik ten Hag has full belief in his squad moving forward 💪
Match hero Maguire also came to the manager’s defence in his post-match press conference but did once again hit at a problem with motivation and belief: something that both Christian Eriksen rather concerningly touched on last month, admitting that the dressing “didn’t want it enough.”
The Red Devils must now play an in-form Aston Villa who recently won late on their long-awaited Champions League away at Villa Park this weekend and, as if he didn’t need one already, a win is essential for Erik ten Hag.
What about you, United fans – how long do you think he realistically has left to turn things around?
You can watch all the highlights from Man United vs Porto down below.
Featured Images — TNT Sports/Sky Sports (via Screenshot)
Sport
Luke Littler is holding a meet-and-greet this weekend – but not exactly where you’d expect
Danny Jones
Young darts sensation Luke Littler has about as big a 12 months as a professional could hope for and many of those who don’t even watch ‘The Arrows’ now know his name, so much so that he’s already holding a meet-and-greet that is selling quicker than you say ‘180!’
Warrington locals are set to welcome Luke ‘The Nuke’ back to his hometown but it’s fair to say the event is taking place exactly where you would have expected.
The 2024 World Series, Premier League of Darts and Players Championship winner’s fame and reputation have continued to skyrocket ever since his debut, so he’d easily have fans lining up pretty much anywhere, especially in the WA postcode.
Nevertheless, hordes of kids looking to follow in his footsteps and bolster a new generation of youth darts players can attend Luke Littler’s meet and greet at none other than… a Smyths Toys Superstore.
As you do.
Located on the JunctionNINE Retail Park, Warrington Symths Toys will see the 17-year-old taking photos with fans, chatting to budding darts hopefuls and, as it turns out, show off his new personal collection.
Yes, while there will be plenty of wholesome selfies and wide-eyed little kids looking to meet their local hero, Littler and his team chose this particular location as Smyths Toys will be stocking his new range of Target Darts.
Once again, his meteoric rise has seen a huge uptake in young people wanting to try their hands at the sport, with the official Luke Littler Cabinet Set even being named as the Judge’s Pick for ‘Best Gift for Teens’ at the 2024 Christmas Wishlist Awards.
Beyond that, the shop also has the highly sought-after Luke Littler Magnetic Dartboard set for the little one, as well as the Luke Littler Steel-Tip Brass Darts, designed in celebration of the 17-year-old’s tremendous performance at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship.
Speaking ahead of the event, Littler said: “I’m really excited to meet everyone at Smyths Toys in Warrington this Saturday! It’s been an incredible year for me, and I can’t wait to connect with fans in my hometown and inspire the next generation.”
Adam Thompson, Head of Marketing at Target Darts added: “We’re thrilled to host this fantastic meet-and-greet event with Luke Littler. Luke has had an extraordinary year and we’re proud to celebrate his success with this special opportunity for fans to engage with him…
“It’s a great way to inspire young players and bring the darts community together and we can’t wait to see everyone in Warrington!”
The meet and greet will kick off from 1pm on Saturday, 5 October but you’ll have to be quick if you want to secure a spot. However, the store will still be open between the regular hours (9am-8pm), so you can still try your luck to try and catch a glimpse of ‘The Nuke’ and pick up a darts set or two.