Major change at United as club brings back popular event signalling a changing of fortunes – report

Better times seem to be on the horizon at Manchester United, both on and off the pitch lately. Financial turmoil When Ineos first arrived at the club at the start of 2024, the financial situation was bleak, to say the least. Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed that the club would have run out of money by last year if his company had not made significant financial decisions. Some of the most unpopular decisions were cancelling the club’s Christmas staff party last year. Staff numbers were significantly cut in an effort to reduce costs, and the scouting department was also reduced. Fans also felt the brunt of the measures as matchday ticket prices soared. Improvement Despite the unpopularity of most of these decisions, the club is certainly in a better financial position. The club was able to spend significantly in the summer on four major first-team signings, and United look primed to spend big on a midfielder over the next two windows to bolster their squad. Christmas is back The Daily Mail reports that “a year after Sir Jim Ratcliffe cancelled Christmas at Manchester United, the club are spreading some festive cheer around Old Trafford by reinstating the staff party.” United felt it would have been inappropriate to host an event last year, with over 250 members of staff laid off. The Red Devils reportedly saved around £100,000 by cancelling the event. The Mail understands chief executive Omar Berrada decided to hold the event this year, “with all staff invited to attend the event in one of the bigger suites at Old Trafford, with food and musical entertainment laid on for employees who are said to have welcomed the news.” With United now in a healthier position in regards to their finances, fans will hope that there is now an end to the bad PR surrounding the club and its decision makers. Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images – The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.