Exclusive: The Manchester United I knew has been ripped out - it's heartbreaking to see

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Michael Owen says the core of Manchester United’s backroom foundations has been “ripped out” since his time at the club, revealing that some of his old friends lost their jobs amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to axe 250 staff roles.

The former striker said the real-life implications of those losing their employment is “heartbreaking” and believes the impact at United will be bigger than outsiders realise.

Ratcliffe has been on a cost-cutting mission over the past 12 months since becoming a minority shareholder. He has made a number of major administrative decisions, including the dismissal of sporting director Dan Ashworth last weekend, just five months after paying £3million to Newcastle United for his services. READ MORE: I was allowed to look behind the scenes at Manchester United - here is what I found READ MORE: I was the forgotten Manchester United Class of 92 star - so I went to Man City and made history Ratcliffe's approval to raise matchday ticket prices to £66 and scrap concessions until the end of the season has received significant backlash from fans, having already stirred disgruntlement over the move to step Sir Alex Ferguson down from his ambassadorial role next summer.

Amid the announcements of job cuts, one staff member told the Manchester Evening News in July that the decision felt rather like “finger-wagging at the lower staff.” Later that month, during the pre-season tour of the USA, defender Jonny Evans - whose wife, brother and father have all been employed by United - admitted it was “difficult to see” people lose their jobs.