Ratcliffe axes free lunch for Man Utd staff | White speaks to Tuchel about England reunion | Leeds leave it late again
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Welcome to Back Pages, bringing you everything you need to know about the biggest sports stories making the headlines in the morning's newspapers. I'm Dharmesh Sheth and joining me are Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer at The Independent and John Cross, Chief Football Writer for The Mirror. Welcome along to you both. Let's start with The Guardian and this Manchester United story. Let them eat fruit. Ratcliffe ditches Old Trafford staff canteen and targets jobs.

Oh dear. Miguel, let's start with you. Another day and news of more cuts at Manchester United. Should we be surprised at this?

Not at this point, although we should be angry about it. The first thing to acknowledge is that it's real people's lives who are affected here on everyday wages. Something that almost feels a little bit kind of offset by some of the absurdity of the detail. And it is great detail by Jamie Jackson in the piece about the fruit and what's become of it. But there is a genuine kind of tragicomic element to it. And I mean, every time there's a development of this at United...

And this story, I mean, look, I'm not a financial controller. I don't have to make, thankfully, I don't have to make these economic decisions. But equally, it could be said that INEOS and Radcliffe have never run a successful football club. And I just can't see how making these decisions contributes to

the winning culture they want the culture of togetherness they want as well as the sense of a proper football club when a the savings pale next to the amount of money going out on players that they will have to spend so it does feel like a false economy and b the way kind of the drip drip and it's not really a drip drip there's a flood of stories now like this now just contributed the erosion of what is i mean supposed to be still a community club that

That's always been, as much as trophies and glory, what United has been famous for, at least given the spirit and culture of youth products from the area and all of this. And it's, yeah, it's a grim story, this. And it's grim that one of England's great football clubs is in this situation. Yeah, John, just picking up on what Miguel said there, look, it feels like small drops in the ocean, these cuts...

Is it going to have a bigger picture and is it going to have a bigger impact and as big an impact as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS would want?

Yeah, massively negative, Dharmesh. Jamie Jackson's detail here in the Guardian story, you know, reflected there on the back page of The Sun as well, is absolutely, you know, mind-boggling, frankly. And it's a brilliant story by Jamie Jackson. Take my hat off to him because the devil is in the detail here. To read then that the only people, the only staff really now getting free lunches are the players...

I mean, you know, the sort of kind of the harsh breakdown there is that's three weeks wages for Casimiro. If you're going to kind of, you know, tot up the one million sort of kind of costs saved across the year, it brings it into stark context. You know, they are going to be offered fruit. They are going to be offered soup.

and some bread. But apart from that, they're doing away with the free lunches. This was communicated, you know, to staff, Reid there in the Guardian, ahead of a meeting with Omar Barada, you know, sort of head on show running day three

today things at Manchester United and, you know, it's brutal. And don't, let's not forget here, this is about three days afterwards after the sort of stories on the back pages saying the United threatening sort of kind of taking action against staff who perhaps leaked stories. And so, you know, to get another round today when there's been, you know, been sort of a massive staff meeting to tell them about more, you

potential redundancies or a transformation plan was the word used, I think, in the meeting, which I have to say I always take issue with. If you're going to make cuts, why not be upfront about it and be sort of kind of, you know, people would, the people being cut would far rather be told in more

obvious English and brutal terms and have it tried to dress up as something else really, which I find very distasteful. But we are, as Miguel rightly points out, we are talking about Manchester United here. We are talking about one of the great football clubs of the world.

And, you know, day after day, we're reading about cuts. We're reading about staff being axed. We're reading about ridiculous sort of kind of, you know, little bits nipped here and there to save United on the pitch. And I just don't think it's right. The image that they're portraying is absolutely shocking. You know, it does take me back, I have to say, when all the stories, the nicey-nicey stories about how amazing Jim Ratcliffe was going to be when he took over Manchester United.

You know, honestly, we had weeks and weeks of it saying what a visionary he was and fantastic businessman. Well, I'm sorry, he might be a good businessman, but at the moment, he's just making cut after cut after cut. And it is wrong. You know, a brilliant piece, opinion piece by Jim White.

in the Daily Telegraph as well. He really takes them to task on it, which is a really strong opinionated by someone who's absolutely passionate about the club and the history and the tradition. And at the moment, Ineos are ruining all of that.

Yeah, Miguel, John alludes to that piece from Jim White and he's labelled it the Jim Reaper with regard to Sir Jim Ratcliffe. It's 450 cuts now, or approximately 450 cuts. It doesn't show any sign of stopping either. They are coming under increased criticism, are Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos. Is it totally justified and is it totally fair, given the context of Manchester United since the Glazers took over the club?

Well, I mean, really, that should provoke a bigger discussion that I think that Jim touched on in his piece. I mean, as we talk about all these cuts and United needing to save money, well, let's remember the reason there. Let's remember what the club used to be not that long ago. At this time, exactly 20 years ago, they were one of the most profitable clubs. I mean, they were entirely self-sustainable. And what happened? Well, the structures of English football at the time allowed the most cynical capitalist enterprise, which is a leveraged buyout,

to basically completely change the club's future and its identity to some degree with almost no resistance to that. And that's one of the reasons we're here, of course. I mean, when it came to the Glazers essentially needing... I mean, one of the reasons that the stake was sold in the first place was because, I mean, Old Trafford needed redevelopment, but that involved investment.

And when it came to that choice, well, what were the two choices? On one side, another uber-capitalist in Ratcliffe, or else a state in Qatar through Sheikh Jassim. And given what we've ended up at here, these are the sort of consequences and what this is doing to a great club, a great institution. These should be provoking as much questions about the direction of English football as actually the Super League back in April 2021, given the real lives it's affecting. And especially as we have all these

discussions right now about the regulator coming in, its effectiveness. But this story articulates a lot of what's going on as much as anything. John, just one more on this. The statement earlier said that future bonuses for Manchester United staff would actually be dependent on on-pitch performance. Is that a clever move in a way on the Manchester United side?

Well, it certainly puts the pressure on the players to deliver something that they haven't been delivering on for quite some time. Look, I can see a logic in that. If the staff, you know, that we're talking about getting the bonuses are directly, you know, playing into their bit, if you like, about helping the United players achieve those goals and that success that they will then be rewarded for.

But I do think that's kind of, you know, you're on a bit of a slippery slope there, really. Look, I do think it's fair enough that,

that the basic United have referred to it a couple of times, haven't they? We're trying to make the cuts off the pitch, if you like, to ensure that we can afford to be successful on the pitch. And I do get that. I think clubs, the Premier League at the moment is in a difficult situation with the financial rules and the spending situation.

the dreaded PSR at the moment. And it does seem imbalanced, you know, because these guys are not, you know, I think we're seeing a slipstream of stories here, making cuts in other parts of their sponsorship portfolio, if you like, in other parts of the sport. But it's not as if they're kind of, you know, the billionaires there are going to be hard up, but they do have to watch their money and what they can spend off the pitch to ensure that they can carry on spending it on it.

So we shouldn't lose sight of that. And I do think, you know, some of that spending and some of those guidelines are wrong, basically, because it's disjointed. Clubs want to put more in than they should be able to do so. But I do still feel, I do take it back to, United have made so many mistakes for so long in terms of recruitment, in terms of managers, in terms of, you know, getting it right.

You know, they desperately, desperately need to get back there. I mean, having said all that, they've actually won a couple of trophies in the last three years. But, you know, they desperately need to kind of get back. And having won those trophies, it's still not made them, you know, be successful, if you like, off the pitch and sort of kind of competitive as a business.

Yeah, I'm sure we'll be talking about Manchester United and their cuts in future editions of Back Pages tonight. Let's change tack and talk about England and Thomas Tuchel, Miguel. The Telegraph reports that Thomas Tuchel holds talks with Ben White before naming his first England squad. Where do you stand on this? If Ben White is given an avenue back into the England squad, what kind of message is that sending?

Well, I suppose it means that maybe it's a clean slate for everyone, as it probably should be with a new manager coming in. I mean, I suppose the suggestion was initially that some of Ben White's issues were specific to, if not necessarily Southgate, the managerial regime there. He has rejected overture since then.

And I suppose, A, the fact that a meeting has been happening shows he's open to it. And B, that Tuchel is, yeah, again, willing to look at anyone. I have to say, I mean, I know some people think because White has maybe been perceived to reject a call-up since or left the World Cup, that maybe because of what a national team represents, he shouldn't be called back. I wouldn't see it like that. I think sometimes, you know,

different circumstances lead to different decisions. And if he's open again, and if, I mean, look, he can only help Tuchel's team, especially given how Arsenal have missed Benoit. John, just picking up on that, clean slate, says Miguel Delaney. Do you agree with that?

Yeah, I do. I mean, I do think Ben White's got a dilemma, hasn't he? I mean, you know, Thomas Tuchel first sort of broached this, you know, when at the draw in Zurich in December, you know, I was there and he sort of said, look, everyone's got a clean slate. Yeah, I'm going to reach out to Ben White. He's obviously done that. Listen, he's spoken to loads of players in the last few weeks. He really has, you know, the stories elsewhere about him talking to sort of James Madison, you know,

You know, I think sort of subsequently, I think he's spoken to a baron at West Ham, you know, loads right across the board. He just wants to know where players stand, where they're at. I think he's more established stars, but as well as sort of kind of young ones coming through. And look, you know, I think it's sensible to make that call. But where does this leave Ben White? I mean, Ben White clearly didn't want to play for England before England.

you know, does he really feel the pressure then to turn up for England? You know, it obviously relates to him leaving sort of the camp in sort of kind of Qatar in 2022. Does he really want to play? I don't think we should hold it too much against him. If he doesn't really want to play, then, then, then don't really probably feels he can't do, you know, right for doing wrong. If he plays, then he'll probably get booed. If he doesn't, then, you know, at least he avoids the stick. Frankly, if I were him, I'd probably give it a miss.

It's a shame, really. He's such a good player. So let's go to your paper, actually, John. And it's all about Virgil van Dijk. Give him hell, he says. We must make Anfield horrible for other teams. Now, he's urging Liverpool to make Anfield a fortress in their last seven home games in the Premier League this season. The nerves kicked in a bit, didn't they, against Wolves? But it would take some capitulation now, wouldn't it, for Liverpool not to claim this title?

Well, they're 11 points clear, Dharmesh, with 11 games to go. And seven of those, would you believe, are at Anfield. I mean, how about that for a run-in? You know, honestly, I think Liverpool have been by far and away the best team this season. They've got by far and away the best player, I think, in the world right now in Mo Salah. Absolutely sensational. I

I thought they were magnificent at City yesterday. I was at City and I just thought they were absolutely fabulous, you know, put on an absolute masterclass just to show just how good they will be as worthy would-be champions, really. So I do think they're cruising for it. But look, you're right to point to that Wolves game. They did look nervous, particularly in the second half. And you could, you know, you could really sense that the crowd were then basically, you know, a little bit tetchy.

Anfield, understandably, I mean, you know, it was in the COVID sort of kind of season when they last won it. So, you know, you didn't get those nerves, but you did get it before. And, you know, Anfield is an incredible place. It's a magnificent atmosphere. But,

It's only natural that fans get a little bit nervous, a little bit unsettled when they can almost, you know, touch things and taste things. And basically it's understandably so. And, you know, he's just saying, I love his comments. He's just saying, you know, real rabble rousing, you know, cry to the fans. Let's make it absolutely a fortress. And I do think that Liverpool cruise to it is my little tip. Basically, I think Liverpool will win the title by double figures. What a team they've been. What a job Arne Slott has been.

Yeah, and double figures probably from Arsenal, Miguel. Inside the mirror, there's Gary Neville's quotes have been involved in this as well. "Dead ball focus has killed off title dream." Bit harsh, all fair.

I'm not sure I fully agree. I can see where he's getting at. I'd say it's much more injuries and the questions that have arisen from that that have killed him off, not least recruitment. And maybe you could even, I mean, given some of the questions that other managers have faced about injuries, you question about approach there. But I mean, because I think when Arsenal have their full 11 back or their best 11 or best 14 or whatever, and they play as they normally do or as Arteta idealises, I think they're still...

possibly the best attacking force in the country, or at least up there with Liverpool or City at their best. And it's proper attacking football. I think one of the issues has been when Arteta has lacked one or two of those players, it's almost like he goes too overly pragmatic

And he kind of regresses a bit too much. And like we saw that earlier this evening before the injury crisis got really bad, saying like the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle and some of the games around that period. So where I get where Neville is coming from, I think that's almost more Arteta's extreme response to the bigger issue, which is fitness. And hence, I think there seems to be a bit of a view within Arsenal that this is a bit of a freak season for them.

and they're generally in good shape. But it still should provoke questions, especially given the talk for a while at Arsenal was if City weren't as good as they were, then Arsenal would have been champions. So for City to drop off and for Liverpool to slip in ahead of them, as we now all expect, and as they're there at the top, will frustrate them. Yeah, frustration for Arsenal would be an understatement, wouldn't it, John? Did they just lose their way this season, do you think? And what was...

What was pivotal for Arsenal's failure, if it is to be a failure, to not winning this league?

Well, look, first and foremost, I make Gary Neville absolutely bang on. I listened to it actually driving home from City last night as a podcast. And I'm not surprised. It was a good spot. And basically because it promotes the debate, I do think that, frankly, every manager wants control. And basically, I think sometimes that control element of football can make it...

you know, too predictable, too pragmatic. And I want to see skill and flair in moments. And I think Arsenal have lacked that this season. They've lacked to sort of kind of impetuous sort of kind of brilliance of, you know, the last couple of previous years. And I do think that's been sorely lacking. The obvious thing for me is the last two transfer windows. Not doing anything in January was unforgivable. Last summer, an absolute farce of a window, frankly, when they still spent £75 million on...

on yet another left-back who spent much of the season injured and was shocking, actually, on Saturday for allowing the cross to go in. Mikel Moreno, who, yes, he scored two eyes at Leicester, but he's been distinctly underwhelming, I'm afraid, so far. And, you know, and then basically taking up two loan places with Sterling, it hasn't really worked. Neto reserve goalkeeper. I mean, talk about disaster. I mean, that's where, you know, you've gone wrong, really. The squad looks imbalanced today.

that's why you're getting injuries because you're going back to the well for the same old players basically who are being pushed too hard, you know, understandably, you know, by Arteta. And I'm sorry, there's been so much gone wrong. Arsenal shot themselves in the foot. They've only got themselves to blame. And frankly, you know, I was at the game on Saturday and actually I was surprised that the sort of the fans were

It was almost resigned to their fate, basically. It was a weird sort of atmosphere. It's been an underwhelming, completely disappointing season. And I do think Arteta needs to realise he actually needs to win a trophy, frankly. He's done a brilliant job at Arsenal, fabulous. But honestly, next season, he needs to win major trophies.

Yeah, underwhelming and disappointing for Arsenal, you say, John. But, Miguel, quite the opposite. If you're a Leeds United fan just now, the Guardian late show fires Leeds clear in the Championship. Another late show, you'd have to say, as well. What does this say about Leeds United, Daniel Farker, the player's character, particularly what happened at the back end of last season as well? Yeah, I had it on just before we came on air, Edmund.

Obviously, the line on Sky, which Crossy pointed as well, was Farker time. And that has been a theme of their season. And also, I think it speaks to, to be fair, the character that he's imbued in the team that is very impressive given how last season ended, given some of the questions. I mean, there is maybe a bigger debate to be had about whether there's a few clubs and Leeds are one of them that are essentially almost this sort of Premier League two in the championship where parachute payments are...

and just the structure of creating these teams that rotate into the Premier League. But even within that, it's been a remarkable season. And yet they do look like a Premier League team with real resilience to them. Yeah, John, Miguel says they look like a Premier League team. The Mirror also feature Leeds and their late, late show against Sheffield United as well. Love them or hate them,

The Premier League is better with Leeds United in it, isn't it? 100%, Dharmesh. Couldn't agree more. I've got a soft spot for Leeds, and I know that'll wind up a lot of people, but I think they bring something to the Premier League. That's what I want. You go to Elland Road, you know, marching on together. I'm sorry, but, you know, whatever...

or club of persuasion you're on, you've got to enjoy that song. It's a brilliant song. Basically, everyone's there together. The atmosphere is sensational. It's a really intimidating place. I loved how they played football this season under Farkham as well. They were so unlucky last year. And I do think these late comebacks,

speak to me about a resilience and about an inner strength and a determination to go up. I think they've got some really good players. They've clearly got the best squad in the division, but that's not been Leeds' issue in the past few seasons. It's about holding their nerve, getting it done. Yes, they're five clear, but more importantly, they're seven clear of third place Burnley. I do want to see them get up and I do think...

at this rate, they're absolutely cruising to it. They look in such good shape at the moment and they bring something to the party. I really like them, Dharmesh. Miguel, in 10 seconds, we've seen the clubs that have been relegated, sorry, promoted from the Championship go straight back down in recent seasons. Do you think Leeds can buck that trend? Yes, I do. I think they're going up with Sheffield United and Burnley, maybe.