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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Tommy Fury announces return to boxing after his ‘hardest battle’ yet
Danny Jones
Manc boxer Tommy Fury has announced his return to the ring later this year, although he’s still keeping tight-lipped about some of the finer detailsabout his next fight.
Tommy Fury has been stuck on the sidelines for the best part of the last two years following his last boxing match against influencer and musician KSI, having reluctantly stepped away from boxing through injury and well-publicised personal issues outside of the sport.
He ultimately pulled out of his intended comeback against Darren Till ahead of what looked to be an already fraught face-off, and his been quiet on the competitive front ever since – until now.
Revealing a scheduled date for the next fight, the 25-year-old took to social media to confirm that he will be back very soon but is withholding some of the particulars for now.
Writing in the caption, the younger Fury brother said: “Two years out. One surgery. The hardest battle I’ve faced has been the mental battle of being away from boxing. But I’m back stronger, sharper, and more HUNGARY than ever.”
However, the most notable omission is who he will actually be taking on, i.e. one of the main reasons fight fans would be interested in the first place.
Although many have been left frustrated by the infrequency of his fights due to multiple cancellations, it’s clearly a concerted effort to build anticipation ahead of the event.
Sharing the date for his Budapest bout – which is coming much sooner than many would have expected (Friday, 9 May) – he signed off by adding: “It’s showtime. Let’s go!”
Besides the social media post, the local fighter published a lengthy announcement video/teaser trailer on the official Tommy Fury YouTube channel on Monday night, in which he states, “the contract has literally just been signed as we speak”.
You can watch the feature in full down below:
In truth, the majority of the video is about brand deals, but it does show getting some training done.
Hyping up his undefeated record, with 10 wins to his name thus far in his still fairly fledgling boxing career, he goes on to say he is “over the moon” and ready to get back in business.
Only time will tell whether this fight will actually go ahead as his followers have gotten more than used to seeing his matches postponed or cancelled. First and foremost, who do you think his comeback opponent is gong to be?
His name has mostly been in the headlines due to his high-profile relationship with fellow famous face Molly Mae-Hague.
The couple, who first met on Love Island back in 2019, welcomed their first child, Bambi, back in January 2023 but went on to split up last August. A docuseries covering their struggles dropped at the start of this year.
Featured Images — Screenshot (via YouTube)/Ghazi Twaissi (via WikiCommons)/The Manc Group
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Belle Vue manager warns of former Aces ahead of Premiership clash
Danny Jones
Belle Vue Aces boss and Aussie speedway legend Mark Lemon has warned his side of Oxford Spires’ quality ahead of their face-off in the Premiership, especially as they prepare to come against some ex-ATPI employees.
With a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership round coming up on Monday night (14 April) and the Aces second in the table with five early points total on the board already, the CEO, Director and Team Manager isn’t underestimating the southern opponents.
Even though Oxford have had a tough start to the season, the Manchester racers can’t afford to be complacent, and Lemon has already identified some key threats on the track, including two former Aces.
It’ll be a thrilling night at the National Speedway Stadium (NSS), as always.
𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼…
♣️ ATPI Aces v Oxford Spires ⛪️ 🗓️ Monday, April 14, 7.30pm. 🏆 Premiership R1. 🏟️ National Speedway Stadium. 🎟️ Get ticket now: https://t.co/DREWNjxB09 🍴 Hospitality: https://t.co/RFS3gcPD99
Speaking on Sunday ahead of the races, the 52-year-old said: “I know it’s a cliche, but there really aren’t any easy meetings in the Premiership.
“We know what Oxford’s riders are capable of; Rohan [Tungate] and Charles [Wright] can be very good at the National Speedway Stadium, and that makes them dangerous.
“When you add in the likes of [Maciej] Janowski, Erik Riss and guest Dan Thompson, [Oxford Spires] are a strong side.”
33-year-old ‘Magic’ Janoswki from Poland is not only a former world number three but has four FIM Speedway World Cup gold medals to his name.
Nevertheless, the Aces have bounced back after a disappointing 50-40 defeat in the KO Cup by Ipswich Witches to record a double over King’s Lynn Stars, with a narrow loss against Leicester still showing plenty of fight and promise for the rest of the campaign.
Belle Vue Aces’ Jaimon Lidsey pushing hard against King’s Lynn – here’s hoping for more of that against Oxford. (Credit: Taylor Lanning)
Lemon went on to assure that he remains confident, however, adding: “We’re settling back into a routine. It was good that all the boys are getting confidence-building scores.
“Zach Cook, Norick Blodorn and Jake Mulford have all started winning key races and scoring well. Tate Zischke is also solving some bike issues.
“As I’ve said before, at this time of the season, it’s about building momentum. That’s the target.”
The Aces get underway against the Spires at the NSS just down the road in Gorton from 7:30pm – best of luck to all those at Belle Vue.
Danny Jones -
30th May 2024 
