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.
Stockport County defender Brad Hills ruled out for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
In a big blow to their promotion push, Stockport County have been hit with a major injury and loss to their first-team squad, as defender Brad Hills has been ruled out for what looks to be the remainder of the season and then some.
Not what Hatters will want to hear with crunch-time in and around the playoffs now well underway.
Having emerged as even more of a starring centre-back this year, following his initial loan spell with the club during the previous campaign, Brad Hills has arguably been one of Stockport’s best and most reliable players in 2025/26 thus far – but not County will have to do without him.
Although the exact severity is yet to be fully revealed, the former Norwich City youth academy graduate is said to have hurt his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Confirming the news on social media, the Greater Manchester side stated: “We regret to inform supporters that Brad Hills sustained an ACL injury in Saturday’s draw at Luton Town that will rule him out for the foreseeable future.
“Our full focus is on supporting Brad throughout his recovery – we know he’ll come back stronger”
For anyone unaware, ACL tears/ruptures are among some of the worst injuries in football, and depending on the extent of the damage, it can take anywhere between six months and a full year to bounce back.
Safe to say, therefore, that supporters have been left gutted by the update, with one commenting, “Awful, awful news”; another simply wrote, “FFS”.
After typing a very long expletive following the show news, fan podcast The Scarf Bergara Wore wrote: “Wishing Bradley Hills a speedy recovery – come back stronger!
Since becoming a permanent signing back in August, he’s earned multiple man-of-the-match awards in blue and white, not to mention contributed to a decent number of clean sheets. He’ll be a big miss in their backline.
While it’s no doubt a big setback as the League One team looks to get promoted into the Championship, the absence could see manager Dave Challinor reshuffle the pack and perhaps even the formation for the remaining fixtures.
One option is Louie Barry, who – depending on the setup – could finally be set for a return to the pitch after he was signed on a third loan deal this past January, but is still continuing his own rehab following a knee operation.
Put it this way, with not many games left, lots of County fans are probably wishing that the pending and potential further changes in the EFL could have come sooner…
Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
Danny Jones -
30th May 2024 
