Manchester United has announced plans to make up to 200 staff redundancies as part of a broader strategy to return the club to profitability. This decision comes after a previous round of layoffs last year, which saw around 250 employees let go. The announcement was made during a staff meeting led by CEO Omar Berrada, emphasizing the need for a "transformation plan" aimed at addressing the club's ongoing financial struggles, which have persisted for five consecutive years since 2019.

The club has reported significant financial losses, revealing a £27.7 million loss in their latest quarterly results, bringing the total losses to over £300 million in the past three years. As of June 2024, Manchester United employed 1,140 individuals, which means that the potential 200 layoffs would account for nearly 39% of the workforce. The club's current position in the Premier League, sitting at 15th, also adds to the urgency of these measures, as they risk finishing in their lowest position since the Premier League's inception.

In addition to job cuts, the transformation plan includes operational changes, such as relocating some staff from Old Trafford to the Carrington training facility and reducing the club's presence in London. The club will also eliminate free lunches for staff at Old Trafford, potentially saving over £1 million annually. These hard choices are framed as necessary steps to improve financial sustainability and to enable future investments in both men's and women's football, as well as infrastructure improvements. United's co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has indicated that more difficult decisions may be on the horizon as the club seeks to regain stability and competitiveness on the pitch.