According to The Guardian, Sir Ratcliffe is expected to ask an external audit firm to assess Manchester United's structure and spending in order to implement a major streamlining plan that could see as many as 300 jobs face redundancies.
INEOS executives have been in discussions with United over the past few weeks about plans ahead of Ratcliffe's formal takeover of a 25% stake in the club on Christmas Eve, and the club's management have been reminded to rein in rising costs to ensure maximum access to transfer funds within the framework of financial fair play.
Ratcliffe believes that the club currently has at least 1,000 employees and that number could be reduced by 25-30%, so he will instruct a blue-chip accounting firm to audit the club. This company may be one of the Big Four accounting firms, including KPMG, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, or PwC. In 2019, INEOS replaced its long-standing PwC company with Deloitte, but it is unclear whether the latter will be involved in United's audit.
Manchester United FC staff have realised that the change in ownership structure means a scrutiny of staff numbers and departments. Senior management has been reminded of the need to control costs to ensure spending is minimised and thus maximise funding for player transfers. This is not a formal cost-cutting strategy, but a decision made in the context of tightened financial fair play rules.
Although Ratcliffe will inject $300 million into Manchester United (2£3.7 billion) as an investment to acquire a 25% stake, but this is for infrastructure rather than strengthening the squad. The deal will only be endorsed by the Premier League after the January transfer window.