Sir Jim Ratcliffe ready to cut 300 jobs at Man Utd as he hints at huge changes

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE could cut as many as 300 jobs at Manchester United, according to reports.

The British billionaire, 71, completed his £1.3bn 25 per cent takeover of the club on Christmas Eve.

The move will see Ratcliffe pump £237million - and he has already hinted in a message to fans that big changes are coming.

This cash boost is to be spent on infrastructure, however, and will not affect the transfer budget.

In order to maximise funds for recruiting players within Financial Fair Play guidelines, Ratcliffe is set to conduct a streamlining exercise - starting with members of staff.

United are thought to employ around 1,000 people behind the scenes.

According to The Guardian, Ratcliffe will send an external auditor to Carrington next month in order to evaluate the club's "structure and expenditure".

It's thought that as many as 300 jobs could subsequently be at risk, with senior managers having been told the importance of "cost discipline".

As part of the evaluation phase, Ratcliffe is set to send two of his most trusted lieutenants to keep an eye on goings on at the club next month.

Ineos' director of sport Dave Brailsford and CEO Jean-Claude Blanc will head to Carrington tasked with assessing the football operation.

According to the Mail, Brailsford and Blanc will place every football department under scrutiny.

They claim that data analysis, recovery, psychology and injury prevention are among the departments that will be closely watched.

It has also been stressed that Ratcliffe doesn't want to "rush" into any decisions.

United have had a poor season thus far, sitting eighth in the Premier League and having been eliminated from the Carabao Cup and Champions League early.

Erik ten Hag's side host Aston Villa this evening, hoping to