Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United’s minority shareholder, has reportedly opted not to provide free tickets to staff for the Europa League final.
The Red Devils secured their place in the highly anticipated match after defeating Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals.
Despite enduring a difficult Premier League campaign, with only 10 wins in 35 matches, United has excelled in Europe under Ruben Amorim.
They sealed their spot in the final with a dominant 4-1 victory at Old Trafford, following a 3-0 win in Spain a week earlier. ..Continue Reading
Amorim’s squad will face Tottenham in the final on Wednesday, May 21, at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao.
Both clubs have been allocated approximately 15,000 tickets for the final, but according to *The Daily Mail*, United is prioritizing supporters over staff due to overwhelming demand.
Instead of distributing free tickets to employees, club officials plan to reserve a small number and hold a ballot for staff members.
Additionally, United will host a screening of the match in Manchester, welcoming staff and their guests, with workers receiving two complimentary drinks while plus-ones must pay for theirs.
The ticketing decision has reportedly sparked frustration among some employees, but a club source insists that maximizing ticket availability for fans remains the priority.
Since acquiring his stake in the club, Ratcliffe has introduced various cost-cutting measures.
Upon his arrival in February 2024, United had around 1,140 employees, but the club has already undergone two rounds of redundancies, with job losses expected to reach 450 by the end of the restructuring process.
Insiders fear the continued cuts could negatively impact the club’s identity and stability.
Meanwhile, Tottenham has chosen a different approach, offering each full-time staff member a complimentary ticket for the final, reportedly extending the offer to roughly 700 employees.
Despite their struggles, United enters the final as slight favorites, having won the competition under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
Their most recent silverware came last year when they triumphed over Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Spurs, on the other hand, have not won a trophy since claiming the League Cup in 2008.
