Ineos has been making cuts left, right and centre since taking charge but has yet to identify the biggest source of waste at Manchester United.
During the first year of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership, things have gotten a lot more difficult for Manchester United.
The British billionaire brought hope to Old Trafford when he took charge, with cost-cutting measures immediately becoming key for Ineos – which was accepted as a necessity due to mismanagement under the Glazer family.
The first round of cuts occurred in July with Ratcliffe making 250 jobs redundant at United upon deciding that the club had a bloated workforce. For comparison, at the time, United had 1,112 staff members which was more than double what Manchester City employed at 520.
Ratcliffe’s decisions soon fell on deaf ears despite an acceptance that cost-cutting had to happen. United’s ticket price rises angered fans, all of this while further cuts and canteen closures have left the staff in a vastly different environment.
This has all happened, while some players are stealing a living for the price of all cuts combined.
When did Luke Shaw last start for Manchester United?
Of all the players United will want to see the back of, Luke Shaw will surely be topping the list.
Despite being one of the best in the world on his day, Shaw hasn’t been for years now and despite featuring for England at last summer’s European Championships, his involvement for United has been limited.
It has been a whopping 375 days since Shaw last started a game for United, which game at Kenilworth Road against Luton Town.
Shaw was withdrawn before half-time by United, as the left-back went straight down the tunnel and wasn’t seen again for the rest of the season.
This was Shaw’s last start for United, and he didn’t appear again until November 2024 with just 98 minutes of action this season in total.
READ: All Manchester United player wages for the 2024/25 season, Ranked
How much has Luke Shaw earned for Manchester United since?
Since his last start for United, over one year ago, Shaw has still been earning his massive £150,000-a-week wage through the budget cuts by Ineos which is slightly tone-deaf by the club.
It has been almost 54 weeks since this game and in this time Shaw has pocketed £8,100,000 pre-tax which is a figure that is believed to be slightly more than the £8m United saved by cutting 250 jobs.
This leaves Shaw as the biggest money waster at the club considering he is providing nothing for his wage.
Going forward, the summer should see United get rid of Shaw by any means, even if it means a pay-off as to continue paying his huge wages for another two years would be embarrassing and insulting to those who have been sacked in recent months.
Ineos’ biggest issue is Shaw.
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