Manchester United record £43m loss despite £677m revenue

n n

Manchester United’s annual net loss increased by almost one third to £43 million ($57 million) despite record-breaking revenues announced on Wednesday.

n

The Red Devils reported £677.6 million in revenue in the year to June 30 — up 1.7 percent.

n

However, the club announced a seventh straight annual loss after tax as co-owner Jim Ratcliffe’s cuts to operating costs offset contractual payments to sacked manager Ruben Amorim and a big increase in loan repayments.

n

The latest earnings relate to a turbulent 2025/26 season, which saw former United player Michael Carrick replace Amorim and secure qualification for the Champions League.

n

The increase in revenue was driven by an uptick in broadcasting income, boosted by a third-place finish in the Premier League — up from 15th the previous season.

n

But commercial and matchday income each fell close to five percent during a season in which there were no European fixtures. Broadcasting income jumped almost 20 percent.

n

United’s accounts showed that they paid £8.2 million in exceptional items, mostly related to the departure of Amorim, who left in January after 14 months in charge.

n

They revealed also that the club paid £63.5 million to acquire land adjacent to stadium site Old Trafford and on which they plan to build a new 100,000-capacity arena.

n

Ratcliffe has overseen wide-ranging, and often unpopular, cost-cutting measures, including widespread job cuts, after completing a deal to buy a stake in the club in February 2024.

n

United chief executive Omar Berrada said the latest figures showed the club’s underlying strength.

n

“This shows the direct impact of the work we have been doing over the past two years,” he said in a statement.

n

“It also proves Manchester United’s enduring popularity and commercial strength.

n

“While these results confirm that we are on the right trajectory, we will continue to take a disciplined approach to ensure our finances remain sustainable,” he added.

n

United expect revenue of between £740 million and £760 million in the current financial year.

n

Carrick’s team has started the new season poorly despite signing a clutch of new players in the summer transfer window.

n

United have taken only five points from their five Premier League games — equalling the club’s worst-ever start to a season — and last week crashed out of the English League Cup.

n

AFP

n n