What's Happening Behind the Scenes at Manchester United, with Adam Crafton
Mar 19, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Adam Crafton, an Athletic journalist specializing in Manchester United, dives deep into the ongoing changes at the club since Jim Ratcliffe's takeover. He reveals the impact of financial struggles and recent layoffs on Manchester United's operations. Adam also explores the complex intersection of politics and soccer, particularly around the upcoming World Cup, discussing visa challenges and the broader implications for U.S. soccer in a rapidly shifting political landscape.
Jim Ratcliffe's minority stake in Manchester United has led to significant management layoffs aimed at improving financial performance and operational structure.
The upcoming World Cup is influenced by American political contexts, particularly concerning US visa policies affecting international soccer competitions.
Deep dives
Ownership Changes and Strategic Review
The recent acquisition of a minority stake by Sir Jim Ratcliffe has led to significant adjustments in the operational structure of Manchester United. Ratcliffe's involvement was initially perceived to focus mainly on sporting decisions; however, it has expanded to include broader business operations within the club. This shift reflects a desire to improve financial performance and streamline management, as evidenced by the dismissal of numerous high-ranking executives across various departments. The Glazer family's continued ownership and the dual-control nature of this arrangement has raised questions about the effectiveness of the club’s management strategies.
Financial Struggles and Layoffs
The club has experienced considerable financial difficulties, leading to multiple rounds of layoffs, affecting nearly a third of its workforce. These layoffs highlight the ongoing need for cost-cutting measures amid growing scrutiny regarding Manchester United's profitability under new constraints imposed by the Premier League and UEFA. Despite Manchester United being one of the richest clubs globally, their prolonged financial losses have necessitated these hard decisions. This situation raises critical ethical questions about the impact of financial mismanagement on everyday staff and supporters, who feel the repercussions of higher ticket prices and reduced services.
Challenges in Player Trading and Recruitment
Manchester United's player trading has been criticized as inefficient, leading to both poor recruitment and disappointing sales over the past decade. Although Ineos has committed to revamping the recruitment department and employing performance-based contracts, tangible results are expected to take time. The club's lack of player development and trade successes can largely be attributed to a devaluation of players' reputations in the market, which complicates sales. Thus, the urgency to improve on-field performance has become intertwined with the financial restructuring, as winning matches directly influences revenue generation and overall stability.
Management Structures and Decision-making Issues
There are growing concerns regarding the clarity and efficiency of the management structures at Manchester United since Ratcliffe's arrival. The organization has seen a mix of appointments from Ineos, leading to confusion about accountability and strategic decision-making. Critics argue that while the leadership seeks to implement changes, the roles of various executives remain overlapping, complicating the execution of coherent strategies. This situation poses a risk, as fans and stakeholders are left questioning the club's direction amidst ongoing performance issues and managerial disruptions.
We are joined by the Athletic's Adam Crafton to discuss his and his colleagues' reporting on Manchester United, what's happened since Jim Ratcliffe took over, what they claim they're doing and what it means for the club. And then we also discuss the increasingly explicit American political context of the upcoming World Cup and international soccer competitions and his reporting on that topic as well.
Crafton et al on the most recent round of layoffs: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6157358/2025/02/25/manchester-united-job-cuts-details/
And on US VISA policy and the World Cup: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6163959/2025/02/28/2026-world-cup-usa-visa-wait-trump-fifa/