Man Utd's longest-serving employee expected to depart in ruthless Jim Ratcliffe axe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cuts continue to take their toll at Manchester United with a member of staff at risk of leaving the Old Trafford club after 46 years in various roles
Manchester United's longest-serving employee is expected to leave the club at the end of the season as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cuts continue, it has been claimed. Marie Marron, who works for the club as a football administrator, has been associated with United for 46 years.
Long-serving receptionist Kath Phipps had been with United for 55 years before her death in 2024, and is understood to be the only staff member to have spent longer at Old Trafford than Marron. United paid tribute to "one-woman institution" Phipps when she died aged 85, with former players also sharing messages.
According to The Mail, Marron - who joined United in 1978 - is expected to leave at the end of the season. The publication claims as many as 200 staff members are in danger of being axed in the latest round of cuts under part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and she is believed to be among those at risk - though no final decision has been made.
The same publication describes Marron as a liaison point between United and a number of major footballing bodies, including the FA, FIFA and UEFA. Her role has included significant involvement in key moments for the club, including the 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona.
Marron is understood to have been back in Spain this week for United's Europa League match away to Athletic Bilbao. United won that game by a 3-0 scoreline, leaving them well-placed to return to San Mames for the final on May 21.
Ratcliffe's cuts since officially taking over in February 2024 have been substantial. Hundreds of staff members have gone, from senior staff including manager Erik ten Hag and sporting director Dan Ashworth right down to rank-and-file staff members.
Director of football insights and innovations Richard Hawkins is among those reportedly informed of their departure in recent weeks, along with director of football operations David Harrison. Reports earlier this week suggested exit terms were being discussed for Harrison, who was among the more senior staff members at the club before Ratcliffe's arrival.
Away from Old Trafford, Ratcliffe has also put French club OGC Nice up for sale. He is reportedly looking for £213million for the Ligue 1 side, who sit third in the table at the time of writing.
"With Nice, in the French league, you can buy a club for £100million. It's much cheaper access," Ratcliffe told The Times earlier in the year. "But I don't particularly enjoy going to watch Nice because there are some good players but the level of football is not high enough for me to get excited.
'The best season that Nice has had is this one where we've not been allowed to get involved because of multi-club ownership rules. They've been so much better without our interference! Maybe there's a lesson there as well, you know."
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