Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘tells Man United employees to work in the office or look for another job’ after billionaire ‘reveals statistics about staff working from home’

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has told Man United employees to come to the office or “look for another job”, according to reports.

The new football chief is said to be looking to increase his team’s productivity levels after his reign begins, with the billionaire aiming to transform the club from the ground up, on and off the pitch.

United have endured a crisis season, with the team being beaten 4-0 by Crystal Palace in their final match on Monday night.

Ratcliffe has a huge to-do list this summer to overhaul the squad and get better results – which could lead to him choosing a new manager, depending on how the rest of the season goes.

But it appears the British businessman’s plans go beyond the day-to-day operations of football after the Guardian reported he had written to employees telling them he wanted to end the current policy of flexible work from home club.

The club currently has a flexible work-from-home policy, but Ratcliffe has told workers to “seek alternative employment” if they do not come.

Mail Sport understands there is limited space at the club’s Old Trafford stadium where some of the staff work, and little space at their Carrington training ground either, which is why many have started to work from home.

But Ratcliffe is said to be concerned about his staff’s productivity after citing a statistic showing email traffic has dropped 20 per cent since they worked remotely.

The 71-year-old now wants staff to always be together in the office, hoping it will “enhance unity and collaboration”, and reportedly told workers: “If you don’t like it, look for a other job.”

Manchester United declined to comment when approached by Mail Sport.

The report adds that there has been a “bemused” reaction among staff, who view Ratcliffe’s explanation for changing their working arrangement as “short-sighted” and are unsure how all staff will be accommodated with limited space.

Ratcliffe continues to rule the roost at Old Trafford after speaking out about the “disgraceful” state of the club’s IT department and issuing a warning for “disorder” during his visit to Carrington.

“I had a good two day visit to Carrington and Old Trafford this week. As always, I was made very welcome. Thank you,” began Ratcliffe’s note, which was sent to all staff and seen by Mail Sport.

“I had a good tour of some of the facilities. I fear I have been struck in many places by a high degree of disorder. Particularly the IT department which was frankly a shame and the U18 and U21 locker rooms were not much better.

The British billionaire has laid down the law in recent weeks after speaking out about the club’s “shameful” disorder around its Carrington training ground.

Ratcliffe was not impressed during his visit to the complex and called for higher standards.

“These standards are not what we expect at INEOS and we are a chemical company. Manchester United is an elite sporting organization.

“It’s a small thing in many ways, but if an organization doesn’t have standards and discipline, it won’t be successful.”

He continued: “I would be grateful in the future if we adopted proper standards of housekeeping everywhere.

“It gives the club a bad image if we have visitors, parents of young players, new players and the media and they see that we don’t care enough about keeping things in order.

Omar Berrada (left) will take over as CEO on July 13, while Jason Wilcox (right) has joined the club as technical director.

Ratcliffe – who started working at the club last year after buying a £1.25billion stake in the club – has overhauled United’s management team off the field with help from chief executive ‘Ineos, Sir Dave Brailsford.

Omar Berrada takes over as CEO this summer, replacing Richard Arnold, while John Murtough has also left his role as director of football and Dan Ashworth is targeted to replace him. Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox joined the team as Technical Director.