Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'tells Man United employees to work in the office or seek alternative employment' after the billionaire 'revealed staff statistics while working from home'

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has told Man United staff workers to come into the office or 'seek alternative employment', according to reports. 

The new football chief is reportedly looking to boost productivity levels among his staff after kicking off his reign, with the billionaire aiming to transform the club from top to bottom, on and off the pitch.

United have suffered a season of crisis, with the team being thumped 4-0 by Crystal Palace in their last game on Monday night. 

Ratcliffe has a huge to-do list this summer to overhaul the squad and bring about better results - which may result in 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 football operations after the Guardian reported that he had written to employees telling them he wanted to end the club's current fleixble work from home policy. 

Mail Sport understands there is limited space at the club's Old Trafford stadium where some staff members work, and little space at their Carrington training ground either, hence why many have taken up working from home.

But Ratcliffe is said to be concerned over productivity among his staff after citing a statistic showing that email traffic has dropped by 20 per cent while they have been working remotely. 

The 71-year-old now wants staff in the office together at all times, hoping it will 'strengthen unity and collaboration', and reportedly told workers: 'If you don't like it, please seek alternative employment'.

Mail Sport has approached Manchester United for comment. 

The report adds that there has been a 'bemused' reaction among staff, who view Ratcliffe's explanation for changing their work set up as 'short sighted' and are confused as to how all staff will be accommodated with limited space. 

Ratcliffe is continuing to lay down the law at Old Trafford after hitting out at the 'disgraceful' state of the club's IT department and sent a warning over 'untidiness' while visiting Carrington.

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

‘I had a good tour around some of the facilities. I am afraid I was struck in many places by a high degree of untidiness. In particular the IT department which frankly was a disgrace and the dressing rooms of the U18 and U21 were not much better.

‘These standards would not come close to what we would expect at INEOS and we are a chemical company. Manchester United is an elite sporting organisation.

‘It's a small thing in many ways but unless an organisation has standards and discipline it will not succeed.'

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

‘It reflects poorly on the club if we have visitors, young player parents, new players and the media and they see we don't care enough to keep things shipshape.’

Ratcliffe - who began working at the club last year after buying a £1.25bn stake in the club - has been overhauling United’s executive team off the pitch with the help of Ineos chief Sir Dave Brailsford.

Omar Berrada is starting as CEO this summer, replacing Richard Arnold, while John Murtough has also departed as director of football with Dan Ashworth targeted as his replacement. Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox has joined as technical director.