Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly offered to cover the costs for approximately 30 staff members to bring their families to the Europa League final.
This generous move is aimed at lifting spirits among the staff following a challenging six months since his arrival at Old Trafford, and comes amidst significant concerns about job security within the club.
Amorim`s gesture is in contrast to the club`s current policy, where coaches, physios, and support staff were informed that Manchester United would not be funding their loved ones` attendance at the final against Tottenham in Bilbao.
Taking the matter into his own hands, the Red Devils boss wants to reward his team for their hard work and dedication, ensuring they can each bring up to two family members or friends.
The club`s hierarchy, under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had limited players to only two tickets each and specified that travel costs for guests to Spain would not be covered.
Staff are already facing anxiety ahead of the final, with 150 to 200 potential redundancies as part of an ongoing process, following 250 job cuts last summer.
Adding to the pressure, a defeat against Spurs would result in a significant financial blow, costing United at least £100 million in lost revenue from failing to qualify for the Champions League, and leaving them without any European football next season.
Staff who are already feeling the impact of cuts under the new co-owners, Ineos, are dreading further bad news should United not win in Bilbao.
A source from within United described the current atmosphere: “People say the environment is horrible to work in. Everyone is dispirited and looking over their shoulder.”
“There’s no enthusiasm. I can’t imagine what it would be like if they don’t beat Spurs.”
Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has explained to fans that the job cuts and ticket price increases were unavoidable steps needed to prevent the club from potentially running out of money by late 2025 and breaching Financial Fair Play rules, citing £300 million in losses over the past three years.
The latest round of redundancies was announced in February, deemed essential regardless of the season`s outcome. While affected staff in most departments have been notified and a consultation process is underway, those on the football performance side, including coaching, backroom, and scouting staff, will learn their fate only after the season concludes, which accounts for the wide range in the projected number of job losses.
Questions persist regarding the necessity and wisdom of these extensive reductions. After the 2023-24 season, United had 1,140 employees, more than other top clubs like Liverpool (1,011). Last year`s cuts reduced the number to 890, and the current process could bring it down to around 700 staff.
Based on 2024 figures, only Manchester City had fewer employees (611), though this comparison is complicated by the structure of the City Football Group, which owns multiple clubs globally and may handle certain functions centrally.
