Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to ask an external auditor to assess Manchester United’s structure and expenditure with a view to a major streamlining exercise, meaning as many as 300 jobs are potentially under threat. Ineos executives have been in discussions with United over the past weeks regarding Ratcliffe’s plans before his purchase of 25% of the club becoming official on Christmas Eve, with the club’s management already having been reminded to curb rising costs to ensure maximum funds for transfers within the strictures of financial fair play.
Ratcliffe believes the staff, who number at least 1000, could be reduced by 25-30% and so the 71‑year‑old will instruct a blue chip accountant to audit the club. This may be one of the so-called big four of KPMG, Deloitte, Ernst & Young or PwC. In 2019 Ineos changed from PwC, its longstanding auditor, to Deloitte but whether the latter company will work on United is unclear.
