How much money did Manchester United make from player sales this transfer window?
This summer transfer window saw the largest exodus of players at Manchester United in many years. Whether it was players running down their contracts or the reality faced by youth prospects to move elsewhere in the hope of getting regular first team football, the outgoing activity was certainly ramped up by INEOS and the new executive team.
Cost Cutting
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been on a ruthless cost cutting exercise since winning the bid for a 28% stake in the club, and this summer there was a clear ‘cut throat’ approach to ‘right sizing’ the squad and saving further costs on player salaries.
Recent updates in PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules), means there are now tight financial regulations in the Premier League, designed to ensure clubs operate sustainably. These rules currently limit the amount of money a club can lose over a three year period and cap losses at £105 million. As a result, we have seen clubs attempt to manage transfer dealings a lot more decisively and prudently. Clubs are now even more prepared to cash in on academy products, since any transfer fees received are accounted for as pure profit on the books.
Manchester United Player Sales
So how much money did Manchester United make from player sales/transfers and how much did they save on salaries (now off the books) in the summer 2024 transfer window?
The below graphic illustrates the transfer fees received for all players who permanently left the club this summer. It details both the initial payment received upon sale, and the sums due if all ‘add ons’ are achieved in each deal.
Conclusion
Manchester United received a total value of approximately £85.3 million with a further £49.3 million in add ons due, provided all transfer agreement stipulations are met. These outgoings have also meant a total of approximately £1.33 million has been saved on player salaries per week.
Whilst progress has been made in trimming the squad and cutting costs in the process, Manchester United’s project of operating efficiently in the transfer market will extend beyond this summer. Many fans believe there are still too many players considered to be ‘dead wood’ at the club and a number on lucrative contracts they should never have received in the first place. The long lasting impact of years of financial mismanagement by the old regime at the club.
Which Manchester United players do you feel need to be sold from the current squad?
