Manchester Untie delivered an alarming message about their finances on Thursday.
In response to a letter from fan groups over rising ticket prices at Old Trafford, United responded by saying: “We currently make a significant loss every year – totaling over £300 million over the last three years.
“This is not sustainable and if we do not act now we risk failing to meet PSR/FFP requirements in years to come and significantly impact our ability to compete at height.”
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos came to the club as investors, there have been a series of stories about cuts and savings being made. There have been 250 redundancies to club staff, funds for club legends cut or reduced and restructuring behind the scenes.
It has been short-term pain with ambition for long-term gain – United believe the restructuring could result in a saving of £40m in the future. The situation has also been a theme this January transfer window, with local players such as Alejandro Garnacho linked with possible sales.
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Sky Sports News senior journalist Kaveh Solhekol discusses Chelsea’s interest in Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho, saying it makes ‘sense’ for the Blues and a move is possible in the transfer window January transfer.
But the urgency of the need to withdraw has been highlighted by this latest note from the club, particularly with Ruben Amorim’s side languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table and looking to miss out on qualification for lucrative Champions League football.
“It’s a serious situation, in their own words,” says Sky Sports News Chief Reporter Kaveh Solhekol.
“United reported a net loss of £113 million in their latest accounts and they have lost more than £300 million in the last three years. New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has laid off staff, cutting expenses and increases ticket prices.
“Every season United went from the Champions League hitting them hard in the pocket. Judging by their league position, things are going to get worse before they get better.”
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Sky Sports News senior reporter Kaveh Solhekol explains how clubs are improving revenue by raising ticket prices and getting rid of concessions, and explains the response Manchester United sent to their supporters group on the matter.
Interestingly, this statement about the need to tighten belts comes in a week in which United were listed fourth in the Deloitte Football Money League 2025, with their revenue of £651.3m only surpassed by Real Madrid , Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
But poor sporting performances took their toll. As well as absences from the Champions League, there has been major transfer spending in recent seasons, with over £600million spent on players for Erik Ten Hag. United also had to pay compensation for the Dutchman after extending his contract in the summer and then playing him 12 games in this campaign.
With Amorim seemingly in need of a squad refresh and for the club to make players to fit their system of play and style of play, United may once again be forced to move on from their troubles. Which brings us back to the controversial ticket price increases and discounts.
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Kris Boyd has criticized Man United after their late win over Rangers in the Europa League, saying they need to be “a lot better” and still have a long way to go to compete at the highest level.
United Supporters groups have described ticket price rises in recent years as “largely inconsequential” in the grand scheme of the club’s huge revenues.
“Co-owners probably see the price increase as a marginal gain,” says Solhekol.
“United have been saddled with huge debts and they have to comply with Premier League and UEFA financial regulations.
“Generally speaking, the more you earn, the more you can spend – especially in the Premier League’s new cost control rules coming next season.
“United must reduce costs and maximize revenue. Ticket price hikes, mass redundancies and cost cutting are all controversial when fans can point to players who are earning fortunes and not playing on the field.
“Many clubs have owners who have put significant funds into their clubs. The Glazer family’s ownership has cost United more than £1bn (£526m).”
Could the UTD man be breaking the PSR/FFP rules?
On the face of it, United’s claim that they lost £300m over the last three years would put them in breach of PSR rules, which only allowed a loss of £105m over three seasons .
However, under these rules there are allowances, clubs able to stretch the transfer fees paid over several accounting periods and the write-off of costs deemed “in the general interests of football”, such as infrastructure, women’s teams and academies.
Earlier this month we reported that no Premier League clubs had been charged with breaches of the PSR for the three-year period between 2021-2024.
Above all, PSR should be replaced by team cost rules next seasonwhich will limit the club’s expenses to a percentage of their income.
So, for now, United are within limits. But as the club itself has warned, decisive steps are needed to avoid sanctions in the future.
