Atlanta, August 4 – Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has spoken out about the club’s sweeping cost-cutting measures under new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, acknowledging the toll it has taken on long-serving staff and calling on the squad to take responsibility on the pitch.
Following United’s 2-2 draw with Everton in a pre-season clash in Atlanta, Fernandes addressed the impact of INEOS-led restructuring behind the scenes. Since Ratcliffe’s involvement began, over 450 jobs have been cut at the club, with the latest round—affecting around 200 employees—implemented at the end of last season. The redundancies included several senior figures and long-time staff members, as INEOS pushes for a leaner and more performance-driven structure at Old Trafford.
“It’s not only the winning mentality that we need,” Fernandes admitted. “But it is other things too that the club are trying to improve, like the facilities, the team, the staff and a lot of other things. A lot of people have suffered from this, and now it is time for us players to show it on the pitch.”
Under Ratcliffe’s leadership, Manchester United are undergoing a major off-field transformation aimed at restoring the club to its former glory. However, the human cost of the overhaul has not gone unnoticed by those within the dressing room.
Fernandes’ comments come as a rallying cry for greater accountability among the players, as United aim to bounce back from a disappointing 2024–25 campaign and begin a new chapter under INEOS’ sporting vision.