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The minority stake acquisition of Manchester United by SIR JIM RATCLIFFE was unveiled on Christmas Eve 2023, and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since that announcement…
December 2023 – Manchester United confirms Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, with a commitment to invest £245 million into Old Trafford.
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and his associate Sir Dave Brailsford are spotted meeting with Erik ten Hag during a visit to Carrington.
January 2024 – Omar Berrada is recruited from Manchester City to serve as the new CEO.
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1 billion, 27.7 percent acquisition is officially finalized.
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold departs from the board, with Ineos representatives John Rees and Rob Nevin taking his place.
March 2024 – Ratcliffe controversially prohibits phrases such as “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino.”
March 2024 – Matt Johnson is appointed as the head of women’s football.
March 2024 – Ratcliffe proposes ambitious plans for a “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford.
March 2024 – Manchester United’s NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21, falling from $20.52 immediately following Ratcliffe’s acquisition in December.
April 2024 – Club credit cards and private vehicles for senior staff are revoked.
April 2024 – John Murtough resigns from his position as football director.
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox is appointed technical director following a compensation agreement with Southampton.
May 2024 – Ratcliffe fosters a contentious environment at Carrington after sending an email to staff criticizing the “disgraceful” level of cleanliness.
May 2024 – Repairs to Old Trafford’s leaking roof finally begin.
May 2024 – Manchester United concludes the Premier League season in eighth place, marking their poorest finish in history.
May 2024 – Ratcliffe provides staff with just one week to consider redundancy options.
May 2024 – Employees are required to cover their own transport costs to the FA Cup final and are issued only one ticket each.
May 2024 – Senior staff members lose their pre-match hospitality and accommodations for the FA Cup final.
May 2024 – Manchester United surprises rivals Manchester City with an FA Cup win, despite speculation about Erik ten Hag’s possible dismissal regardless of the result.
June 2024 – Manchester United announces a £50 million investment to improve the Carrington training facility.
June 2024 – Ratcliffe enforces a strict “back to work” mandate requiring staff to return to the office.
June 2024 – Ratcliffe faces backlash for remarks concerning the women’s team.
July 2024 – Manchester United finalizes a deal for Dan Ashworth to become sporting director after a protracted gardening leave at Newcastle, costing £3 million in compensation.
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag surprises supporters by signing a contract extension that runs until 2026.
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake are appointed as assistant managers; Andreas Georgson becomes the first-team coach, and Jelle ten Rouwelaar is appointed goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role shifts from technical director to first-team coach while Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag, and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Former Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell temporarily joins as interim recruitment director.
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc is added to the Manchester United board.
July 2024 – The number of staff traveling on the US pre-season tour is reduced to 125.
July 2024 – Ratcliffe initiates 250 job redundancies, impacting well-liked individuals such as media staff John Allen, historian Cliff Butler, and kitman Alex Wylie.
August 2024 – Manchester United invests £199 million in summer transfers.
August 2024 – Lunch provisions for matchday staff are eliminated, forcing some to consume food near restrooms.
October 2024 – Manchester United discontinues the £2 million annual ambassadorial payment to Sir Alex Ferguson.
October 2024 – The staff Christmas party is canceled.
October 2024 – The expensive “back to work” policy incurs costs to convert hospitality suites into makeshift office spaces between home matches.
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag is let go after the club finds itself in 14th place in the Premier League, resulting in a £15 million payout.
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim is appointed as the new Manchester United manager on a deal lasting until 2027, after a £10 million release clause is activated.
November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy is dismissed by new manager Ruben Amorim.
November 2024 – Manchester United executives engage in a blame game regarding the tumultuous summer, encompassing the Erik ten Hag saga and transfer setbacks.
November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly intends to slash the £40,000 budget designated for the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association.
December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits that “mediocre” Manchester United is “still in last century.”
December 2024 – Protests arise following the elimination of concession tickets for seniors and children, alongside a significant increase in home ticket prices to £66.
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth is dismissed just five months into his role as sporting director.
December 2024 – A £100 Christmas bonus for staff is substituted with a £40 M&S voucher.
December 2024 – The ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference following a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.
December 2024 – Reports indicate a mouse infestation at Old Trafford, with droppings found in food kiosks and premium suites, as hygiene ratings plummet to just two stars.
December 2024 – SunSport reveals the reduction in Ratcliffe’s £40,000 charitable donation to support former Manchester United players.
