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MANCHESTER UNITED have axed their longest-serving worker after 47 years as part of the latest wave of job losses at the club, according to reports.
The club announced in February that up to 200 MORE jobs would be lost as part of a further cost-cutting initiative started last summer, which saw 250 staff made redundant.
GettyMan Utd are set to sack their longest-serving staff member[/caption]
PAIt comes as part of the latest wave of job cuts announced in February[/caption]
A statement at the time said the cuts were to help “transform” the “corporate structure as part of a series of additional measures to improve the club’s financial sustainability and enhance operational efficiency.”
However, the decision to make the club’s longest-serving employee, Marie Marron, redundant has left staff “shaken” at Old Trafford and Carrington.
According to The Times, Marron was told in a face-to-face meeting that a decision had been made to relieve her of her duties at the end of the season.
It is a decision which is said to have left her “devastated”, having worked for Man Utd since 1978.
But she travelled ahead of the team, as she always has done, for their Europa League semi-final clash against Athletic Bilbao in Spain, which Ruben Amorim‘s side won 3-0.
Marron originally started out as the personal assistant to the club secretary at the time, Ken Merrett.
She eventually became a key figure with first-team logistics, acting as the club liaison to Uefa, the Premier League, the FA and opposing teams before matches.
Marron was also the chief co-ordinator for United’s historic Treble in 1999 and was one of five staff specially honoured by club sponsors in 2013 for “exceptional dedication and commitment” to the team.
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However, sources are said to have told the Daily Mail that the decision is provisional and the start of a process.
Marron’s long service to the club is only eclipsed by much-loved receptionist, Kath Phipps, who worked at the club for over 55 years before passing away in December.
Other long-serving staff members to be given the boot as part of the brutal cuts include club writer and best-selling author, Wayne Barton, and former comms officer John Allen – SunSport revealed how club captain Bruno Fernandes took Allen out for a meal last month.
An annual payment of £2million to legendary former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, was also among the cuts made by the club.
Ineos chairman and minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, claimed Man Utd would be facing bankruptcy without the cuts, which have also stretched to stripping back staff perks and canteen lunches.
A fresh report from France earlier this week claims the British billionaire is willing to listen to offers for Ligue 1 outfit Nice, with Suadi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – who also own Newcastle – “seriously considering” an offer.
SunSport understands that any potential cash raised from a sale of Nice would fall well short of that needed to fund a full Ineos takeover of Man Utd.
The petrochemicals company now owns 28.94 per cent of the club after an injection of £79.3m last year, with the much-maligned Glazer family still owning the majority of the shares.
With the team on the pitch bringing in the worst season in the club’s Premier League history, United are facing a £100m blackhole if they fail to win the Europa League in Bilbao on May 21.
Winning the competition will be worth £50m on its own through Champions League qualification and £25m in gate receipts for four home games in the league phase of the competition.
There is also an additional £30m in bonus and prize money if they can reach the last 16, and a £10m bonus they will receive from kit sponsors, Adidas, which is taken away if they do not qualify for Europe‘s premier competition.
Their likely opponents for the final currently look set to be Tottenham, who have a 3-1 advantage following a home win over Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt.
The second legs of the Europa League clashes take place next Thursday, with Spurs travelling to Bodo’s artificial pitch at the Aspmyra Stadion and United taking on Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford.
Fans have already been drawing up travel plans, but it will cost a small fortune for both accommodation and travel following a huge surge in demand and prices.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first year at Man Utd
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…
December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington
January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added
March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move
March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football
March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford
March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December
April 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled
April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton
May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanliness
May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof
May 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish
May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy
May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket
May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed
May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result
June 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground
June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into office
June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team
July 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board
July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125
July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie
August 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window
August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet
October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson
October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled
October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause
November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim
November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings
November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association
December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century”
December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director
December 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
December 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth
December 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two stars
December 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity
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