Sir Jim Ratcliffe has called an end to Manchester United’s work-from-home culture after ordering all non-football staff back into the office.
The billionaire INEOS owner, who controls all footballing operations at the club, announced the decision in a meeting on Wednesday, which was met with mixed reviews. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the bulk of United’s staff have been primarily working at home, but Ratcliffe, 71, is keen to re-establish an office-based culture at both their Manchester and London headquarters.
However, according to The Athletic, there currently aren’t enough desks to go around, particular in Manchester where much of the staff office space was converted into matchday hospitality during lockdown.
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Ratcliffe also informed staff members that he’s confident United will soon be the leading club in world football again, and spoke about being determined to make it happen as quickly as possible.
The Englishman’s purchase of a minority stake in the Manchester club was ratified in February after months of negotiating with United’s majority owners, the Glazer family. He officials owns just over 25% of the club, but was handed total control of all football matters in the deal.
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Ratcliffe is planning a sizable squad shake-up this summer, and is believed to be eyeing replacements for Erik ten Hag should the Dutchman leave or be forced from his post at the end of the season.
Hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League are officially gone, but United, who are six points behind fifth-placed Tottenham, still have an outside chance of nabbing a spot in the Europa League. Up next is a trip to Crystal Palace on Monday before they wrap up their season with home games against Arsenal and Newcastle.
Despite their dismal form all season, they could still end the campaign on a high with an FA Cup final against Manchester City still to come too. Victory there would also secure them a Europa League spot, should they fail to catch Spurs.