Sir Jim Ratcliffe slams Old Trafford cleanliness standards and training staff

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is overseeing sweeping changes at Manchester United. Photo: Getty Images/Robin Jones

Sir Jim Ratcliffe criticized the lack of cleanliness at Old Trafford and Manchester United's Carrington training ground in a scathing email to staff.

United's new minority shareholder said cleanliness standards at its facilities were unacceptable to his Ineos and «we are a chemical company.»

The lack of order in United's IT department was described as a «disgrace» in an email , which was sent to all employees. Ratcliffe added that «frankly, the dressing rooms of the under-18s and under-21s.»

Ratcliffe, who took full control of United's football and day-to-day operations in a deal worth $1.03 billion £ sterling, which gave him a 27.7% stake in the club, visited the site earlier this week and was alarmed by what he saw.

This prompted the Oldham billionaire to write to all staff to warn them that it was unacceptable for a top-level sporting organization not to maintain the highest levels of cleanliness and order.

p>

He said it had a bad effect impression on visitors, including potential players, the media and parents of young football players.

Last December, United's food hygiene rating at Old Trafford was downgraded from five to one out of five after guests at a company event were served raw chicken. The rating now stands at four out of five.

Ratcliffe's scathing criticism is the latest example of owner Ineos' determination to raise the club's standards across the board as he seeks to restore success at Old Trafford.

p>

Previously this week the club's non-football staff were told to return to their offices in Manchester and London, and Ratcliffe put an end to work in the home culture business.

In March, Ratcliffe appointed a corporate officer to restructure firm Interpath Advisory to review all areas of the business United as part of a major cost-cutting campaign at the club.

United has already phased out corporate credit cards and chauffeured services as part of cost-cutting measures. cars for staff, who were also asked to contribute towards food and travel costs for the trip to London for the FA Cup final against Manchester City later this month.