Man United ‘threaten staff with the sack if they leak information’, in new bombshell email from chief executive – which has been leaked
Manchester United have reportedly warned staff that they could be sacked if they leak information.
United have come under significant scrutiny since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became part-owner last year, with several cost-cutting measures having been implemented.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed earlier this month how Ratcliffe is planning to make more than 100 staff redundant which comes after the club culled around 250 staff last year – and several other money-saving actions have taken place.
This included cancelling free coach travel for staff to last year’s FA Cup final, cutting back on ambassadorial salaries, increasing ticket prices, while Ratcliffe also decided to bring to an end Sir Alex Ferguson’s £2million-a-year role with the club.
Many of these moves have been reported or emerged in the media ahead of time and, according to The Telegraph, United CEO Omar Berrada has now launched a probe into the supposed leaks.
Within a 580-word email sent to staff, he explained that revealing club information to outside sources will be viewed as ‘gross misconduct’, something that could get people sacked.
Man United CEO Omar Berrada has reportedly sent an email to staff warning them that they could see their employment terminated if they leak club information before it is announced
United part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has come under scrutiny for his cost-cutting measures
Berrada (second from right, front row) has launched a probe into club information being leaked
The report goes onto claim that staff were informed ‘additional measures’ are being created to stop information leaking out before the club officially announces any changes.
‘Anyone disclosing information outside of the club is breaching their obligations of confidentiality, and we are very clear that this will be considered gross misconduct,’ the email from Berrada reportedly said, as per The Telegraph.
‘To protect the club and its colleagues, additional measures are being put in place to prevent future breaches of confidentiality and also identify any persons responsible.’
As per government guidelines, the employment of staff can be terminated for ‘gross misconduct’ if correct procedures are followed.
Within the email, Berrada is said to acknowledge the difficult situation many staff members find themselves in amid major cutbacks at the club.
However, he also urged them to report any approaches from outside the club and warned that ‘journalists are extremely well-versed in gathering information from multiple sources,’ highlighting WhatsApp, phone and social media as potential means of contact.
The report adds that there is a major concern at the club surrounding sensitive information being shared into the public domain.
United are set to hold a meeting on Monday when further plans to reduce costs and raise revenues will be shared.
Ratcliffe and Ineos are set to make more than 100 members of staff at United redundant
It comes amid the ongoing restructure from Ineos as they look to significantly cut costs
The club did not comment on the reported email, although it is believed that it is all part of their attempts to change behaviours on and off the pitch to help the club get back to winning ways.
Meanwhile, the latest cuts come with Ineos’ review into the club ongoing. United had 1,112 staff before Ratcliffe took a quarter stake in United early last year, which was by far the largest in the Premier League and considerably higher than the rest of the big six. Manchester City, for example, employed 520 during the same time period.
The move is aimed at freeing up cash for Ruben Amorim to spend on the first team as they seek to return the club to its former glories. Despite record revenues, United have lost £300m in the past three years.
It was also revealed this week that United’s decision to get rid of manager Erik ten Hag and sporting director Dan Ashworth cost the club £14.5m.
The perception is that on and off field costs remain high. Ratcliffe has injected around £241m, which is aiding with the development of Carrington, but there are fundamental issues within Old Trafford which need to be addressed.
The club are also considering moving to a new 100,000-capacity stadium or carrying out a large-scale refurbishment of Old Trafford – and will need to find the funds to do so.
All areas of the business have been targeted for potential savings. The aim is to make the business leaner and to ensure all focus is placed on providing Amorim with the funds needed to strengthen.
United’s compliance with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) is also at the forefront of thinking.
