Why Manchester United are making 250 people redundant and what Sir Jim Ratcliffe has told staff

Manchester United are making 250 staff redundant after a cost-cutting review found that the employee count and the structure of the club wasn't being reflected in performance.

Every aspect of the club has been under review since Ineos took over the day-to-day running of United in February and on Wednesday morning staff were told that a redundancy programme was now underway that would result in 250 people losing their jobs. It is believed they were informed via email.

United insist they need 'significant transformation' to meet new financial regulations and challenges, with costs continuing to rise every year. According to the club's latest accounts, United had 1,112 employees on the monthly payroll, which is an increase of 129 in two years. That is the highest employee count in the Premier League.

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Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £1.25bn investment into the club was confirmed earlier this year there has been significant transformation underway. While the football structure has also been redrawn, Ratcliffe has been determined to cut costs, ending some employee privileges, especially around the FA Cup final.

He also told staff they must return to the offices at Old Trafford or Carrington in a bid to end a work-from-home culture but the decision to part ways with so many staff is driven by attempts to become financially leaner.

Under the plans for redundancies, Ineos have identified savings and activities they describe as "non-essential" which can be stopped, cutting the workforce to deliver on the priorities laid out by Ratcliffe.

The current plan is for 250 roles to