Manchester United plans up to 200 scouting roles cuts

Manchester United is poised to make significant cuts to its scouting department, with up to 200 redundancies expected under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's co-ownership. The club's scouting team, currently comprising around 80 members, will be reduced as part of a shift toward data-driven recruitment methods, which raises concerns about the potential impact on the academy's ability to develop future talent. This restructuring follows the club's financial struggles, which have resulted in losses exceeding £313 million over the past three years, leading to measures like raising ticket prices and cutting costs across various departments. Despite Ratcliffe's push for efficiency, there is widespread apprehension among fans regarding the long-term implications for talent identification, especially given the academy's storied history of producing top players. Christopher Vivell, who has been serving as a temporary recruitment director, is expected to be appointed permanently as part of the new structure. Head coach Ruben Amorim has acknowledged the financial constraints impacting the team's performance and future signings, emphasizing the need to sell players before making new acquisitions.