MANCHESTER UNITED'S problems have spread from the pitch to behind the scenes with the owners the Glazers demanding cuts of 15 per cent in most departments.

Despite the club’s value spiralling to around the £3billion mark and sponsorship deals flooding in the axe has been sharpened by the controversial Florida based family.

While they continue to take money out of the club – it’s estimated that £15million a year is transferred into the various family banks – the Glazers are insisting on their employees cutting back, ordering that budgets be trimmed.

The only area to survive the cut backs is Louis van Gaal’s first team squad who have their own problems, a lack of entertainment and little sign of any likely silverware.

At least Friday night’s FA Cup victory at Championship promotion chasing Derby County has given the under pressure Van Gaal valuable breathing space.

But surprisingly for a club which has enjoyed a tradition of producing a conveyer belt of young talent, the youth academy hasn’t escaped the red pen of the Old Trafford bean counters.

The class of ’92 provided the bedrock of much of the success under Sir Alex Ferguson but the academy like other areas of the club is being asked to reduce their costs by 15 per cent.

That has caused consternation and instability with United yet to replace academy director Brian McClair who left to take a job with the Scottish FA last May.

The scouting system has also been drastically reduced to save money – something which Ferguson painstakingly built up after arriving as manager and being appalled at the absence of a credible youth policy.

United are unable to compete with the bigger and more lucrative contracts on offer for aspiring young players at clubs like neighbours Manchester City and Everton.

The decision to cut costs throughout Old Trafford has undermined spirit in many departments and contributed to the sense of a crisis gripping the famous club.

An insider told Sunday Express Sport: “Few people can understand why this is happening with so much money now coming into the game, particularly at Manchester United. It hasn’t been good for morale.”

Since taking over the club the Glazers have spent around a staggering £800m on servicing their debts which they heaped on the club after buying it for an estimated £790m in 2005.

But they could sell for at least £3bn with only Real Madrid and Barcelona valued at more according to the latest Forbes rich list.

Despite that the order from above to most Old Trafford departments is to save money.