10 million down! Manchester United confirms terms

Entering the 21st century, Manchester United has participated in the finals of major European competitions six times (3 Champions League + 3 Europa Leagues), winning only 2 of them and losing 4 times. The number of losses in the European finals in this century tied with Liverpool (7 losses 4 times).

Martin United only won 1 time in the last five European finals. If the two Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011 lost to the peak Barcelona, ​​it was mainly due to the opponent's cosmic strength, and the Red Devils could not play; but losing the 2021 and 2025 Europa League finals was completely a self-destruction of Manchester United's future, which was really frustrating.

Losing the UEFA Cup final and missing the Champions League next season will trigger a series of changes in economic and fiscal data, and the real "sentence" of Manchester United has just begun.

"The Athletic" previously analyzed that if Manchester United qualifies for the Champions League through the UEFA Cup, it is expected to earn at least about 85.8 million pounds. Some media also said that this year's Europa League final is worth 100 million pounds, but in fact, Manchester United's loss is the complete biggest loser, and the potential loss may exceed 150 million pounds.

First of all, there is a difference in the prize money of the UEFA Cup single final champion and the runner-up. The champion can get a prize of 10.95 million pounds, while the runner-up only has 5.9 million pounds.

Secondly, if you win the UEFA Cup championship, you will automatically qualify for the European Super Cup in August, with a guaranteed bonus of 3.4 million pounds, and if you win the prize, you will reach 4.25 million pounds.

Relatively speaking, these are still small amounts. The most important thing is that Manchester United misses the Champions League next season, resulting in significant losses in the Champions League prize money, game day income, and sponsor agreement income.

We know that the UEFA Cup champion will go directly to the next season's Champions League, and the prize money for participating in the league stage will be 15.7 million pounds. In addition, there are rewards for winning a single game (1.77 million) and draws (600,000), and there are bonuses for ranking in the league stage. There are 9.3 million pounds left to reach the top 16, and there are corresponding bonuses further ahead.

Or assuming that Manchester United is eliminated in the league stage, the income of four home games in the 8 group stages is based on the capacity of 76,000 people in Dream Theater, and the average home income per game is calculated at 6 million pounds, and the estimated income will reach 24 million pounds. If you are lucky enough to reach the finals, your home income of 50 million will not be a problem. In addition, Manchester United will also lose huge bonuses such as broadcast sharing.

After confirming that he missed the Champions League next season, Manchester United will also be deducted £10 million in sponsorship fees by jersey sponsor Adidas.

In July 2023, Manchester United Club renewed a 10-year contract with Adidas, worth £90 million per year, replacing the previous 10-year agreement worth £750 million.

Under the terms of the renewal, if Manchester United fails to qualify for the Champions League, they will face a deduction of £10 million per season. The penalty clause will take effect this summer and end in the summer of 2035.

Manchester United official confirmed in last year's financial report: "The terms will be deducted by £10 million every year from the 2025-26 season."

The Daily Mail wrote in his report yesterday: "Suppose Manchester United wins the UEFA Cup and everything goes well next season, then the club will earn 166.15 million more pounds (including avoiding the deduction of £10 million sponsorship by Adidas), which are the potential income they may lose, not to mention the income they can participate in the Club World Cup."

Of course, Manchester United can also save money on one hand, that is, the salary of players. If you are unable to participate in the Champions League for two consecutive seasons, the salary of the players will continue to be subject to a 25% reduction. Under normal circumstances, this salary cut is for all first-team players, and high-paying players are no exception.