Man Utd staff to miss out on free Europa League final tickets – while 700 Spurs workers handed freebies
MANCHESTER UNITED are not going to be giving staff free tickets to the Europa League final – while Spurs workers are set for a massive handout.
The Red Devils take on Tottenham in the Europa League final on May 21 after a semi-final demolition job of Athletic Bilbao gave them a shot to save their season.
The final, which is being hosted in Bilbao’s 53,000-seat San Mames Stadium, has seen both clubs allocated around 15,000 seats each by Uefa.
It’s been reported that Spurs are offering all full-time employees a complimentary ticket for the match – a stance that United are not following.
The Mail claim that Man Utd are instead holding a ballot with a small number of tickets available for their staff, but will see the majority of workers go without the opportunity to watch the club in Spain.
It’s reported that United will put on a screening in Manchester for the rest of the staff instead, with plus-ones also invited along.
Staff will get two free drinks at the event, but plus-ones will be expected to pay for theirs, it is claimed.
Man Utd feel that they are putting the fans first when it comes to access to tickets for the final, given the high demand from supporters for tickets to a major final.
There are currently around 50,000 season ticket holders at Old Trafford, meaning the demand for final tickets far exceeds that of the allocation of 15,000.
A spokesman for United told SunSport: “Our overwhelming priority is maximising the number of tickets available for our fans.”
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United are thought to currently employ around 900 people, marginally more than the 700 staff members that have been offered free tickets by Tottenham.
Man Utd paid for flights, accommodation and food for staff in the last three Champions League finals the club appeared in – further exemplifying the change in process since Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s arrival.
Ratcliffe, 72, has been cutting costs at the Theatre of Dreams since his minority takeover was announced in December 2023.
The billionaire Brit and his Ineos company have implemented cost-cutting measures that have seen nearly 500 redundancies at the Premier League giants.
Other more marginal financial savings have been made by scrapping free meals for Old Trafford staff, cancelling the staff Christmas party and stopping access to private chauffeurs and company credit cards.
Ratcliffe also played a part in the decision to take legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson off the club payroll, axing him from his ambassadorial position with the club he managed for 26 years.
It’s not the first time Ineos have made a big decision regarding finals either, last season they made staff and the players’ families pay for their own transport to the FA Cup final.
Despite the mass cost-cutting, United announced in March plans to build a brand new £2billion 100,000-seat stadium in the near future.
All this has coincided with United’s worst ever season on the pitch, with manager Ruben Amorim now handed a lifeline to save the club’s season with a European trophy and place in the Champions League as they languish in 15th in the Prem table.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first year at Man Utd
SIR 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 Trafford
January 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 added
March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move
March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football
March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford
March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December
April 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 cleanliness
May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof
May 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 ticket
May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed
May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result
June 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 office
June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team
July 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 compensation
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026
July 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 125
July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie
August 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window
August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet
October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson
October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled
October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m
November 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 Association
December 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 £66
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director
December 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
December 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth
December 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 stars
December 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity