Sir Jim Ratcliffe has faced a fresh wave of criticism after reports of Manchester United's latest cost-cutting measures ahead of the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur. The INEOS kingpin is an unpopular figure in some quarters of the fanbase due to a series of ruthless financial decisions since he became part-owner in February 2024.
United have overseen around 450 redundancies since Sir Jim invested £1.3billion for a 28.9 per cent stake in the club. Other budget cuts have included the cancellation of the club's Christmas party, the removal of several staff perks, including free meals at the training ground, and mid-season ticket price rises.
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United employees also had to cover their own travel expenses for last season's FA Cup final, while losing other perks for the Wembley trip.
Sir Jim has struck again for the Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21, sparking further mass criticism.
According to The Athletic, United have told staff they won't receive complimentary tickets for the crunch showdown at San Mames Stadium.
Coaches, physios and support staff had to purchase up to two tickets themselves, prompting head coach Ruben Amorim to step in.
The report claims that Amorim has covered the cost for around 30 members of his backroom staff to bring their families to Bilbao.
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While the Portuguese boss has been hailed for his actions, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has welcomed more contrasting attention over the morale-squashing decision.
United supporters have already included the British billionaire in large protests against the majority owners, the Glazer family, outside and inside Old Trafford.
Sir Jim insists his primary focus is making the Red Devils successful and has framed his investment as a passion project rather than a money-making scheme.
In March, he admitted that if the ill-feeling towards him grew as strong as it is towards the Glazers, who can't attend matches without security, he would walk away from the project.
"It can be unpleasant. And I've probably failed on the having fun front. I mean, I can put up with it for a while," Sir Jim told The Times.
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"I don't mind being unpopular because I get that nobody likes seeing Manchester United down where they are, and nobody likes the decisions we're having to make at the moment.
"If I draw a bit of the ire, I can put up with that. But I'm no different to the average person. It's not nice, particularly for friends and family.
"So, eventually, if it reached the extent that the Glazer family have been abused, then I'd have to say, look, enough's enough, guys, let somebody else do this.
"They can't really come to a match, the Glazers. They've retreated into the shadows a bit now, so I'm getting all the bloody stick."
But - barring an altercation where an angry United fan aimed abuse at Sir Jim as he left January's 1-0 win at Fulham - he added that he hadn't come close to that level of animosity yet.