‘I’m in a low place’ – Man Utd stalwart made redundant by Sir Jim Ratcliffe in emotional post as new book released

MANCHESTER UNITED'S most esteemed writer Wayne Barton opened up about the struggles he has endured the last six weeks ahead of the release of his new and “most personal” book.

Barton is an esteemed author who has published 20 books and received praise from key United figures, such as Tony Whelan and Martin Edwards who dubbed him the club's “pre-eminent writer”.

The writer has a long history with Man Utd and even worked as an editorial consultant for the club from January 2023 until last month.

The author became “one of the statistics” following the Red Devils' minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe's second round of brutal cuts.

Barton was left “heartbroken” as he announced the news of his dismissal on social media where he praised other members of staff who were also made redundant.

Now he is prepared to release his latest book Football, Taught By Matt Busby on Thursday and he admitted on social media that he is currently in a “low place”.

The writer looked back at the last six weeks which took a toll, but expressed his appreciation for all the support he has received from his readers.

Barton tweeted: “I’m in a low place at the minute. It’s the early hours of the eve of the release of my most personal book, one that means so much to me.

“But with everything that’s happened over the last 6 weeks, I don’t really think I’ve processed those events very well, and still a bit heartbroken, a bit damaged in confidence and conscious about how much I will be annoying people as I talk about the book over the next 72/96 hours.

“So I just want to apologise in advance for that self-promotion, thank you for your patience, and put out a sort of notice that while I’m doing this promotion, there is a human being here struggling with different things...

“But still immensely grateful for the incredible things I do have, not least the support of so many great people on here, grateful for the immense privilege of being published, and grateful for many things besides that. Thank you.”

Last summer saw 250 staff members made redundant in a heavy first wave to save costs under Ratcliffe.

And this time around, between 150 and 200 job cuts were made amid the club's transformation plan, which included axing free lunches.