Manchester United employees will not be receiving free tickets for the upcoming Europa League final in Bilbao, a sharp contrast to Tottenham Hotspur's decision to reward each full-time staff member with a free ticket.
According to Dailymail report, both United and Spurs have been allocated approximately 15,000 tickets each for the final on May 21. However, United have opted to distribute only a small portion to staff via a ballot system, with the majority being reserved for supporters.
Club employees not attending the match will instead be invited to a screening event in Manchester, where they can bring one guest. Staff attending will receive two free drinks, while their guests will have to pay for their own.
The club’s stance is that fans should be prioritised, especially given the high demand and limited availability. Officials believe that allocating too many tickets to staff could result in backlash from the wider fanbase, particularly season ticket holders, who number around 50,000.
This comes amid broader cost-cutting measures introduced under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group. Since their involvement, United’s workforce has undergone two rounds of redundancies, with about 450 job losses expected. The current staff count sits around 900, down from roughly 1,140. Other internal perks, including the annual Christmas party, have already been scrapped in a bid to reduce spending and shift resources toward strengthening the playing squad.
The Europa League final ticket policy is seen as consistent with this new cost-conscious approach.
In contrast, Tottenham Hotspur have taken a more generous route. Every full-time employee around 700 people, is being offered one free ticket for the final. However, the high travel and accommodation costs associated with the trip to Bilbao could still prevent many from attending.
United, Spurs eye silverware after dramatic season
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will have a shot at redemption, as both clubs advanced to the UEFA Europa League final despite dismal domestic campaigns. The English duo, languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, secured commanding semi-final victories to book a spot in the showpiece final in Bilbao on May 22.
Manchester United thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at Old Trafford (7-1 on aggregate), while Spurs sealed a 2-0 win over Bodø/Glimt in Norway (5-1 on aggregate overall). A win in the final not only offers silverware but also a coveted place in next season's Champions League
