There are some “profits”. Without European football, most players would potentially be paid as low as 25%, so costs should be reduced.
The club’s 2023-24 accounts showed wages fell from £22 million (12%) to £163 million from £185 million, primarily due to reduced performance bonuses.
Nevertheless, United will be looking away from those they miss, and in addition to reducing the appeal of participating in Old Trafford outfits in the first place, it will also affect their transfer strategy.
“The Champions League can change everything,” Amorim said last month. “When you look at this moment, you’re really competitive in the Premier League and you’re not ready to deal with the Champions League. If you’re in the Champions League, your budget will be different to bringing you a better team for next season.”
Amorim said United have plans for what will happen if they miss out in Europe, as did CEO Omar Berada last month.
Berrada said they are “more efficient” and “introducing various financial measures” that allow the club to “invest in the summer” even if they are not qualified to Europe.
This is passed on United’s total debt of approximately £1 billion. This includes £331 million in the outstanding transfer fee payments mentioned by minority owner Ir Jimratcliffe in an interview with BBC Sports Editor Danloune in March.
It raises an already worrying financial situation for clubs that need to sail on the path to competition at the top edge of the Premier League.
In March, Ratcliffe said the club would be “bust” by the end of the year if no significant action was taken.
United’s losses in the past five years have totaled over £370 million.
To stop the tide, the club has redundant staff of 250, with another 200 potentially losing jobs in the second round cut announced earlier this year.
United’s second quarter revenues fell 12% until December 31, 2024, with the club spending £14.5 million on sack manager Eric Ten Hag, his staff and former sports director Dan Ashworth.
At the same time, United announced plans to build a £2 billion stadium, but has not specified how they will pay for it.
Ratcliffe ensured in March that fans would continue to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
But the calm reality of anything other than the glory of the Europa League in May will already be doing a tough job to make United even more difficult.
