Crisis! MU has to borrow kits to play

The cost reduction measures implemented during Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s tenure have caused Manchester United’s academy to deteriorate, with staff overwhelmed and the U13 squad forced to borrow kits from Everton for matches.

Manchester United is facing a wave of backlash after revelations from The Athletic exposed the deteriorating facilities and stringent saving measures enforced under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is striving to return the club to profitability.

According to journalist Laurie Whitwell from The Athletic , the cost-cutting at Carrington training center has directly impacted the daily lives of coaches and youth teams.

An embarrassing incident occurred when Manchester United’s U13 team hosted Everton at Carrington; the home club lacked enough socks and shorts for players, forcing them to borrow from the visitors. This resulted in some young United players wearing Everton-branded gear, causing confusion among organizers and parents.

Laurie Whitwell also reported that poor maintenance conditions at MU’s youth academy, due to staff shortages in cleaning and upkeep, have caused significant deterioration in the facility built in 2002 and renovated in 2017. Allegations include uncleaned toilets, overflowing trash bins, rubbish around training pitches, and overgrown grass, clearly reflecting the impact of staff cuts.

Those wearing the club’s training attire, including academy coaches and first-team analysts but not players, now have to wash their own clothes instead of relying on the logistics department as before.

Observers see this as clear evidence of the unintended consequences of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s spending cuts. He owns 27.7% of United through INEOS and is directly responsible for the club’s football operations. His goal is to restore Manchester United’s financial independence after years of imbalanced spending and reliance on external funding.

However, cuts affecting the academy, once home to talents like Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo, raise concerns about declining standards in youth development, a source of pride for Manchester United over many decades.

Although the club has not issued an official response, the incident has sparked intense debate among fans. Many agree that tightening budgets is necessary but argue it should not come at the expense of the academy’s reputation and core values, which are considered the heart of the “Red Devils.”

In this context, United faces the challenge of balancing profitability with heritage, a significant test for Sir Jim Ratcliffe in his mission to rebuild the Old Trafford empire.