Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly slammed the disgraceful facilities at Manchester United – even threatening to cancel their Christmas party.
The INEOS chief, 71, completed his minority takeover of the Red Devils earlier this year. And he was present at Old Trafford and Carrington this week when he was given a tour of the facilities on offer at both venues.
However, Sir Jim was left largely unimpressed with the cleanliness on display, venting his disappointment in an email to the club. According to The Athletic, he described the tidiness of the club’s IT department as a “disgrace” and the dressing rooms of U18s and U21s were “not much better”.
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Ratcliffe added the standard of the cleanliness at the facilities were not up to scratch for an INEOS organisation – pointing out they were a chemical company.
He warned it was completely unacceptable to not maintain the highest levels of cleanliness and tidiness, believing it will give off the wrong impression to visitors, including the parents of young footballers, potential signings and the press.
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The report states staff were stunned to receive the email, with some thinking it was over-the-top and insulting. Others, however, welcomed the email, believing the attack on United’s current standards are over due.
Sir Jim has been trying to change the culture at the Red Devils, and on Wednesday it was made clear to the staff that underperformance could lead to treats, such as Christmas parties, being canned.
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Another tactic to change the culture at the club was implemented earlier this week, with Sir Jim ordering staff to report back to offices in Manchester and London – insisting that the work-from-home culture must end.
INEOS have hired consultancy firm Interpath Advisory to review the club’s business and operational costs, and they’ve also been tasked with helping to revamp their player-recruitment model.
United have already started to make off-field changes to cut costs. Some staff members have been asked to contribute to their own travel and food costs for the journey from Manchester to London ahead of the FA Cup final.