Sir Jim Ratcliffe labelled a 'rat' by furious Man Utd fans after replacing staff's Christmas bonus with M&S voucher in latest ruthless cost-cutting measure

Ratcliffe has been busy trying to cut costs since taking a 25 per cent stake in the club in February 2024 but his latest idea has not gone down at all well. The INEOS chief, whose net worth is estimated to be in the region of £13bn ($15.6bn), has decided to replace United staff's £100 Christmas bonus with a £40 M&S voucher, according to The Telegraph. Fans have been quick to voice their disgust at the plan on social media.

Supporter @aaboom16 posted on X: "Bro is paying Anthony £200,000 a week for spinning like a fidget spinner and he’s talking about cutting costs."

The criticism was a little stronger from @breakinglines_: "This rat does not get anywhere near the abuse he deserves."

It was a feeling shared by @NtheyeZ, who wrote: "The RAT strikes again."

Elsewhere, questions were being asked by @kbroonaldo: "What is going on at this club? Mind-boggling. You put Casemiro, Antony and Rashford on a combined £1 million a week and you want cut costs by £60 from the staff that actually do their jobs."

And @bcygsws posted simply: "Worse than the Glazers, a disgrace."

Ratcliffe has also previously left staff members "angry and hurt" by redundancies after axing 250 jobs at the club. Legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson has also been dismissed as club ambassador, while other cost-cutting measures have seen employees "forced to eat in a toilet." Meanwhile, the club spent around £3 million to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director, only to see him leave after just five months in the job. The Red Devils also reportedly had to shell out around £21 million ($26.5m) to sack Erik ten Hag and bring in Ruben Amorim as the club's new manager.

Ratcliffe has also come under fire in the run-up to Christmas for hiking ticket prices and eliminating concessions for children and over-65s. However, the 72-year-old billionaire has warned fans "more unpopular decisions" may also be on the way as he aims to restore the club to its former glory.