Times: Manchester United will cut off the club s longest-time staff, shocking and saddening employees

May 3, The Times reported that Manchester United employees were shocked to learn that the club had informed the longest-serving employee Mary Malone, saying that her position was at risk of layoffs, and Mary Malone was the main contact person for Manchester United to connect with UEFA and the Premier League on the event operations.

Mary Malone worked in Old Trafford for 47 years. She initially served as the personal assistant to then club secretary Ken Merrett. Later, she gradually became the core figure in the first team's logistics support, responsible for contacting UEFA, Premier League, the FA and opponent teams before the game. She is also the live broadcaster of the VAR system on the game day of Old Trafford.

Mary Mary Malone served as the chief coordinator of Manchester United's 1999 triple-championship journey. In 2013, she and four other senior employees were awarded the club sponsor for their extraordinary dedication and loyalty to the team.

But as Manchester United scored a stunning 3-0 victory in Bilbao this week and was one step closer to the European final, The Times learned that Marie Malone had been told to leave at the end of the season in a face-to-face meeting.

She still arrived in Bilbao before the team as she was in charge of the European away matches. If the team advances to the UEFA Cup final and returns to the place, she will continue to perform the same duties. But it is understood that the old employee who has worked in Old Trafford since 1978 was deeply broken by the news.

New shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliff has made no secret of his position of needing to alleviate Manchester United's financial difficulties through substantial severance, with the massive layoffs aiming to cut the total number of club employees from 1,250 to about 700. The British billionaire said in a recent interview with The Times that the Premier League club must implement severance to avoid the risk of bankruptcy.

But Mary Malone's resignation will once again make many employees sad. Team operations director Jackie Kay (serving Manchester United for nearly 30 years) and other employees have previously resigned due to Inex reform.

In December last year, Mary Malone became Manchester United's longest-time employee after the death of Cath Phipps, a beloved 85-year-old receptionist at the training base. Twelve years ago, Phipps and Mary Malone were awarded the recognition of jersey sponsor Aon.

Aon Group President and CEO Greg Case said at the time: "No company or team can reach the peak of success without the right talent. We understand that team members are the most valuable investment, and outstanding talents can create outstanding results in any field. These five people who have served Manchester United for more than 30 years (some for more than 40 years) represent the extraordinary dedication of the Manchester United team supporting the players on the field."

The Times contacted Manchester United, but the club declined to comment.