Manchester United Reports Record Revenues Despite On-Field Struggles
Manchester United announces record revenues of £666.5 million despite a poor season on the pitch. Read more about the club's financial performance and future outlook.
“Off the field, we are emerging from a period of structural and leadership change with a refreshed...”
Manchester United has announced record annual revenues of £666.5 million for the 2024-25 season, despite enduring a challenging year on the pitch. The club finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest top-flight finish in 51 years, and failed to qualify for the Champions League. However, off the pitch, United's financial performance was robust, driven by a strong commercial business and record matchday revenues.
The club's commercial revenue hit £333.3 million, boosted by a new five-year front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with Snapdragon, while matchday revenue reached an all-time high of £160.3 million. Despite the record revenue, Manchester United posted a net loss of £33 million, which represents a significant 70.8% improvement compared to the previous year's loss of £113.2 million. Chief Executive Omar Berrada attributed the financial resilience to the club's ability to adapt to challenging circumstances.
Berrada emphasized the club's focus on improvement, stating, “As we settle into the 2025-26 season, we are working hard to improve the club in all areas.” The club has made significant investments in the men's and women's first-team squads and is expecting revenue between £640 million and £660 million for the current financial year, despite missing out on European football.
The financial results also highlight the impact of cost-cutting measures, including over 250 staff redundancies and a £51.5 million reduction in employee expenses. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's restructuring efforts aimed to stabilize the club's finances, warning that United would have gone “bust at Christmas” without these measures. Despite the progress, Manchester United remains committed to complying with Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules and UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.
Ruben Amorim's team had a notable run in the Europa League, reaching the final held in Bilbao, but unfortunately came up short against Tottenham.
The financial report for the year ending June 30, 2025, showed a slight increase in revenue of 0.7%, reaching £666.5 million. However, there's been a significant improvement in operational efficiency, with the operating loss decreasing substantially from £69.3 million to £18.4 million compared to the previous year.
Under the guidance of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the company implemented extensive cost-cutting measures, including substantial job cuts, which contributed to a considerable reduction in overall losses. The losses dropped from £113.2 million to £33 million, indicating a positive impact from these measures.
The skipper from the spot 🎯
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Looking back at goals 🆚 Chelsea 🔥
Manchester United's Chief Executive Omar Berrada highlighted the club's progress in its financial recovery, stating that the benefits of their cost-saving measures are starting to materialize as they focus on long-term growth and sustainability. Despite facing challenges, including a significant net loss and failure to qualify for the Champions League, the club has achieved record revenues of £666.5 million. Berrada emphasized that United is working towards greater financial stability, aiming to direct resources towards enhancing on-field performance while ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
Key aspects of Manchester United's strategy include:
Cost-Saving Measures: Implementing organizational changes and reducing staff to achieve financial sustainability, with around 400-450 job cuts announced in the past year.
Investment in Infrastructure: Completing a £50 million redevelopment of the men's first-team building at Carrington and planning a $7.9 billion renovation of Old Trafford.
Focus on Football Success: Strengthening the men's and women's first-team squads and establishing a new football leadership structure to support the manager and drive sustained success.
Berrada's vision for Manchester United is centered around returning the club to the top of European football, with a clear strategy in place to deliver success both on and off the pitch.
“On the field, we are pleased with the additions we have made to our men's and women's first-team squads over the summer, as we build for the long-term,” he said.
“Off the field, we are emerging from a period of structural and leadership change with a refreshed, streamlined organisation equipped to deliver on our sporting and commercial objectives.
“To have generated record revenues during such a challenging year for the club demonstrates the resilience which is a hallmark of Manchester United.”
Manchester United's record commercial revenues reached £333.3 million, largely fueled by the start of a five-year shirt sponsorship deal with Snapdragon. This significant partnership contributed to a 10% increase in commercial revenue compared to the previous year. Additionally, the club's matchday revenues hit a record high of £160.3 million, showcasing the team's strong financial performance despite on-field struggles.
The club's financial outlook for the next year remains optimistic, with expected revenues ranging from £640 million to £660 million. Notably, this projection is despite Manchester United's absence from European football for the first time since the 2014/15 season. The revenue growth is anticipated to be driven by increased Premier League broadcasting revenues and improved retail, merchandising, and licensing operations.
Manchester United's financial stability is evident in their ranking as the fourth-highest revenue-generating football club globally, according to Deloitte's annual Football Money League. The club trails behind Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain, showcasing its robust financial foundation despite on-field struggles.
The Red Devils have had a dismal start to the 2025-26 season, earning only four points from their first four Premier League matches. This poor performance is reminiscent of their worst start since the 1992/93 season. The team's struggles extend beyond the league, as they suffered a humiliating exit from the League Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town, a fourth-tier team.
Manager Ruben Amorim faces immense pressure ahead of Saturday's crucial match against Chelsea at Old Trafford. With the team's league standings and early cup exit, Amorim's tactics and player selections are under scrutiny. United fans and critics alike are eagerly awaiting a turnaround in fortunes, but the onus is on Amorim to deliver results and silence his doubters.
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