Manchester United announce record revenue despite on-field decline | OneFootball

Manchester United have announced record annual revenues of £666.5m, a paradoxical high at a time when the club continues to flounder on the pitch.

United finished a dismal 15th in the Premier League last season, their lowest placing since relegation in 1974, yet the balance sheet tells a different story. Driven by the launch of a lucrative front-of-shirt sponsorship with technology giant Snapdragon, commercial revenue reached £333.3m, while matchday earnings also hit a record £160.3m for the year ending 30 June 2025, BBC Sport reports.

Chief executive Omar Berrada hailed the results as proof of the club’s “resilience,” emphasising United’s commitment to building “for the long term.” The club also posted a reduced overall loss of £33m, a sharp improvement on the £113.2m deficit of the previous year.

Debt and cuts cast a shadow

Nevertheless, the figures highlight the contradictions at Old Trafford. Broadcasting revenue dropped by £48.9m owing to the absence of Champions League football, with United not competing in Europe at all this season. Meanwhile, the club continues to carry significant debt: £471.9m in long-term loans, alongside £165.1m in short-term borrowings, and a rising burden of outstanding transfer fees.

Cost-cutting measures have also left their mark. The workforce has been reduced from 1,100 to 700 in two years, prompting criticism from supporters and former staff alike. Wages fell by £51.5m, largely due to automatic player salary reductions triggered by missing out on Champions League qualification. The accounts also list £36.6m in “exceptional items,” covering severance payments to former manager Erik ten Hag, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, and ex-technical director Dan Ashworth.

Investment and instability

Despite these financial manoeuvres, United have continued to invest heavily in new signings. Since June, the club has spent a reported £156.8m on Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Globally, United remain a commercial powerhouse. Deloitte’s rankings earlier this year placed them fourth in world football revenue, behind Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain. The Snapdragon deal has helped the club overtake Liverpool in sponsorship earnings, underscoring United’s enduring pull despite on-field struggles.

Berrada maintains that financial stability will underpin future success. “As we start to feel the benefits of our cost reduction programme, there is significant potential for improved performance, which will, in turn, support our overriding priority: success on the pitch.”

GFN | Finn Entwistle