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The minority ownership of Manchester United by SIR JIM RATCLIFFE was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023, sparking a series of developments at Old Trafford…
December 2023 – Manchester United announces Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, pledging to invest £245m into Old Trafford.
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and his associate Sir Dave Brailsford are spotted meeting Erik ten Hag during a tour of Carrington.
January 2024 – Omar Berrada is hired from Manchester City to take on the role of new CEO.
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1 billion acquisition of 27.7% stake is officially finalized.
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold steps down from the board, while Ineos affiliates John Rees and Rob Nevin are appointed.
March 2024 – In a surprising move, Ratcliffe prohibits terms like “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino.”
March 2024 – Matt Johnson is appointed as the head of women’s football.
March 2024 – Ratcliffe reveals plans to build a “Wembley of the North” to succeed Old Trafford.
March 2024 – Manchester United’s NYSE share price falls to $13.73 on March 21, a decline from $20.52 shortly after Ratcliffe’s takeover in December.
April 2024 – The club terminates credit cards and private vehicle privileges for senior staff.
April 2024 – John Murtough resigns as football director.
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox is appointed as technical director after reaching a compensation agreement with Southampton.
May 2024 – Ratcliffe creates a “toxic” atmosphere at Carrington with an email to staff criticizing a “disgraceful” level of cleanliness.
May 2024 – Repair work on the leaky roof of Old Trafford finally commences.
May 2024 – Manchester United finishes eighth in the Premier League, marking their worst-ever placement.
May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees one week to agree to redundancy offers.
May 2024 – Staff are instructed to cover their own transport to the FA Cup final, with each receiving only one ticket.
May 2024 – Pre-match festivities and hotel stays for senior staff ahead of the FA Cup final are canceled.
May 2024 – Manchester United surprises rivals Manchester City by winning the FA Cup despite indications that Erik ten Hag was to be released regardless of the outcome.
June 2024 – Manchester United announces £50m plans to upgrade the Carrington training facilities.
June 2024 – Ratcliffe implements a strict “back to work” policy mandating staff to return to the office.
June 2024 – Ratcliffe raises eyebrows with remarks about the women’s team.
July 2024 – Manchester United completes a deal for Dan Ashworth to take on the role of sporting director after an extended period of gardening leave from Newcastle, which compensated with £3m.
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs an unforeseen contract extension through 2026.
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake are appointed as assistant managers, while Andreas Georgson becomes first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar is designated goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher transitions from technical director to first-team coach as Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag, and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Former Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins as interim director of recruitment on a temporary basis.
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc is added to Manchester United’s board.
July 2024 – Manchester United trims its staff size to 125 for their US pre-season tour.
July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies, affecting popular personalities like media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler, and kitman Alex Wylie.
August 2024 – Manchester United spends £199m during the summer transfer window.
August 2024 – Lunchboxes for matchday staff are eliminated, with some required to eat near restrooms.
October 2024 – Manchester United discontinues the annual £2m payment to Sir Alex Ferguson for his ambassadorial role.
October 2024 – The staff Christmas party is called off.
October 2024 – The “back to work” policy incurs significant expenses for converting hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches.
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag is dismissed, incurring a £15m cost to the club, while they sit in 14th place in the Premier League.
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim takes over as the new Manchester United manager on a contract lasting until 2027 after paying a £10m release fee.
November 2024 – New manager Ruben Amorim relieves coach Ruud van Nistelrooy of his duties.
November 2024 – Manchester United executives engage in a blame game regarding summer issues, including the situation with Erik ten Hag and transfer decisions.
November 2024 – Ratcliffe is allegedly planning to reduce the £40,000 budget for the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association by half.
December 2024 – Ratcliffe concedes that the “mediocre” state of Manchester United is “still stuck in the last century.”
December 2024 – Fans protest after the elimination of concessions for seniors and children, with minimum ticket prices raised to £66.
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth is terminated after just five months in his role as sporting director.
December 2024 – A £100 Christmas bonus granted to staff is replaced with a £40 M&S voucher.
December 2024 – During Ruben Amorim’s press conference following a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, a leak appears in the ceiling.
December 2024 – Reports surface regarding a mice infestation at Old Trafford, with rodent droppings found in food kiosks and luxury suites, resulting in a decline of food hygiene ratings to merely two stars.
December 2024 – SunSport reveals that Ratcliffe has cut the £40,000 donation to the Association of Former Manchester United Players charity.
