Manchester United employees are disappointed because the club has decided not to provide complimentary tickets for the upcoming UEFA Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on May 21, 2025.
This is part of broader austerity measures implemented by Sir Jim Ratcliffe since his acquisition of a 28% stake in December 2023.
Employees are no longer eligible for free tickets.
Instead, they must cast ballots for a restricted number of seats, most of which will be at a Manchester screening hosted by the club.
The event will feature complimentary drinks for staff and guests as a consolation.
Many fans and pundits are watching this situation closely, with some noting its potential impact on team morale ahead of the match.
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These platforms offer fresh insights on the world’s most captivating league competition, so they might factor in how these off-pitch issues could affect performance when the teams meet in Spain.
Tottenham has the exact opposite approach because they will give all 700 of their full-time staff free tickets to the final.
This policy shift has not gone unnoticed among United employees, many of whom feel undervalued by the new administration.
Manchester United’s allocation of 15,000 tickets is being distributed primarily to fans with European travel credits, rewarding those who have previously attended away games.
This system seeks to recognise loyal supporters but leaves little room for employees who work behind the scenes.
The ticket policy is only one aspect of extensive changes at Old Trafford. Since Ratcliffe acquired his stake, the club has cut nearly 500 jobs, eliminated employee perks such as free meals and Christmas parties, and terminated ambassador roles for club legends such as Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ratcliffe defended these difficult decisions, claiming that without them, Manchester United would be insolvent by the end of 2025.
He emphasised a new fiscal responsibility philosophy, arguing that perks such as first-class travel and free lunches were financially unsustainable for the club’s long-term viability.
This is not the first time that United employees have missed out on final tickets.
In 2017, then-executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward made a similar decision for the Europa League final in Stockholm, reallocating staff tickets to supporters to increase fan attendance.
Many employees perceive the current situation differently, as it comes amid a larger program of cuts that has already harmed morale at the club.
Some staff members privately express their dissatisfaction with the ticket decision.
The Bilbao final presents significant logistical challenges for fans making the journey.
Because direct flights from Manchester are limited and expensive, many fans must look for alternative routes, such as indirect flights and even ferry trips.
Bilbao’s accommodations have become prohibitively expensive, with hotels raising prices to capitalise on the influx of English football fans.
These factors complicate matters even more for supporters and any staff members who do obtain tickets through the ballot system.
Despite the background noise, Manchester United remain determined to win European silverware and cap off a turbulent season on a high note.
Last year’s FA Cup victory lifted spirits, and success in the Europa League would provide additional validation for the new strategic direction.
The team faces the challenge of staying focused on the pitch while uncertainty exists off it.
Staff will watch from Manchester rather than Bilbao as the Red Devils strive for continental glory.
Picture credit: Free to use from Unsplash
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