Manchester United staff denied UEFA Europa League final tickets

Manchester United have refused to offer free tickets to staff for the upcoming UEFA Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.

The two teams have been offered 15,000 tickets each for the final in Bilbao, with Tottenham providing one free ticket to each of their 700 staff members.

As reported in the Daily Mail, the Red Devils have opted against giving tickets to their staff amid the ongoing cost-cutting operation under the stewardship of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The measures imposed for the UEFA Europa League final are seen as the latest episode in a radical overhaul at the club, which has already seen over 450 staff lose their jobs.

Representatives of the club have maintained that the decision has been made to prioritise supporters who will be looking to secure tickets in Bilbao.

Manchester United will screen the game at a special event for staff, with invitations open to bring a guest. However, the guests will not receive any complimentary drinks and staff will be offered two free drinks.

The club has traditionally looked after staff when reaching European finals in the past, with flights, accommodation and food all paid for ahead of the last three UEFA Champions League finals which the club has reached.

Ratcliffe has previously stated that the ongoing cost-cutting is imperative to secure the long-term financial future of the club.

“In super-simple terms, the club has been spending more money than it has been earning for the last seven years," said Ratcliffe.

“If you do that for a prolonged period of time it ends up in a very difficult place, and for Manchester United, that place ended at the end of this year.

“At the end of 2025, Manchester United would have run out of cash.

“We’ve made some really tough decisions and now we’re seeing staff understanding what we’re trying to do. There’s a clear vision of what we’re trying to achieve.”

Matt Gibbs

• Manchester United F.C.
• Europa League
• European Football
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