MANCHESTER UNITED’S most esteemed writer has been let go by the club amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s second round of brutal cuts.
Ratcliffe, 72, completed a minority takeover in 2023 and has since gained control over sporting operations at United, which in turn led to some severe downsizing.
Last summer saw 250 staff members made redundant in a heavy first wave to save costs under Sir Jim.
But the list of casualties is set to increase by between 150 and 200 job cuts amid the club’s transformation plan, which includes axing free lunches.
That also led to the dismissal of some of the Red Devils’ most esteemed figures, such as legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson whose ambassador role was ended.
And now best-selling author Wayne Barton has become “one of the statistics” of Ratcliffe’s latest cuts.
Barton worked as an editorial consultant for the club since January 2023 and has been very close with the club for many years.
His incredible work, which has seen him publishing 20 books, led to immense praise from key figures, such as Tony Whelan and Martin Edwards who dubbed him the club’s “pre-eminent writer”.
The writer was left “heartbroken ” as he announced the news on social media where he sang the praises of other members of staff who were made redundant and expressed his desire to return one day.
Barton tweeted: “So just over two years in my dream job came to an end today as I became one of the statistics you’ve been reading about in the press associated with United.
“For those two years I loved every day of being able to work at Old Trafford, I loved the immense privilege despite it being such a difficult time in our history, hoping that I could help from within to contribute something positive.
“I’m beyond proud of my work outside of United, the kind reviews of my books and perception of me as a writer.
“Obviously, I am heartbroken that my contribution is no longer of value to the club I love.
“I understand that difficult decisions have to be made. I have seen very talented people leave their roles, and I have seen legendary figures who are drenched in the history of our club been told they too are now part of the past; a past which is, for me, the richest history in football, a past which these people remain a significant part of the tapestry and educational process for the future.
“They are indispensable; the cost of losing them far greater than financial.
‘I am heartbroken’
He continued: “It’s the biggest club in the country, possibly the world, and every loss I’ve seen and experienced has been significant to the operations. Every loss has been felt.
“These are real people, real lives, being affected – not because of the quality of their performance or contribution. They work incredibly hard and feel, like I have done, a sense of gratitude and privilege and a dream coming true.
“There are people having to deliver terrible news which wasn’t their decision to make. A football club is not a normal business. It is a community asset, serving different needs. It is it’s history.
“Anyway. So today I leave the club I love, hoping that one day, they will need me again, and that I’ll be back, my tiny little cog in the big machine, my sense of grandoise not lost on me with the self-importance of this post.
“I’m by no means an important loss, but it’s an important loss to me.”
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