United's Revenue Surges 17% Despite Historically Poor Season's End
Flailing Fortunes: Manchester United's Struggles and the Lay of the Land
emanating an offbeat, laid-back vibe
Manchester United's financial hopes soared, with a 17% increase in revenue for the three-month period ending March 31. This upsurge was primarily due to four additional home matches during the quarter, as the team danced towards the Europa League final. The club even managed a rare operating profit, but the good times were short-lived.
the bad apples
The downside? They fell to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, a blow that could ripple through their future results. And the profit was modest - a paltry £707,000 ($962,000, at current exchange rates). The club lost approximately $3.7 million after taxes and financing costs. This season marks the sixth consecutive year that the 20-time English champions will be running in the red.
the wounds that don't heal
The Europa League final loss means United won't qualify for next season's European competitions - Champions League or Europa League - for only the second time in 35 years. If they had emerged victorious, the payday would have clocked in at over $100 million from the additional prize money and a ticket to the Champions League.
the empty seat count
Apart from the revenue shortfall, the number of home games will take a hit, reducing matchday revenue, and there's a £10 million ($13.6 million) dip from their £90 million-per-year ($122 million) Adidas deal.
ranking lower than expected, but reaching higher
Manchester United finished 15th in the Premier League table, barely escaping relegation. Last season's eighth-place finish was their worst in the league since its inception in 1992.
"We had a subpar season in the Premier League, which didn't measure up to our standards," Omar Berrada, Manchester United CEO, stated when announcing the financial results. "We're focusing on infrastructure improvements, with the redevelopment of our Carrington Training Complex moving forward and on track. This facility will be the heart of our operation, offering top-flight training facilities for all our teams and staff."
bigger and better
In March, the club unveiled plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium to replace Old Trafford. They're also sinking $68 million into their Carrington training facility, with renovations expected to be completed by the 2025-26 season.
the other side of the coin
In February, United announced plans to lay off 150 to 200 employees, in addition to the 250 who were axed last year. It's been a rocky first year for billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, who invested $1.3 billion for 25% of the club and heads its sporting operations.
numbers talk
For the quarter, revenue approached $218 million, including commercial revenue of $102 million, up 7.3% from the previous year. Broadcasting revenue reached $56 million, up 10%, thanks to additional UEFA matches. Matchday revenue jumped dramatically by 50% to $61 million, mainly due to extra home dates and greater demand for hospitality packages.
painting the town (or rather, the stadium) red
The club recently returned from its inaugural postseason tour, a six-day, two-game excursion to Malaysia and Hong Kong. These events are expected to generate an extra £10 million for the fourth quarter. Despite a dismal start - a 1-0 loss to the ASEAN All-Stars, followed by a shower of boos - they eventually rebounded to secure a 3-1 victory over Hong Kong.
## Man United - Tottenham Europa League Final Held Millions at Stake
a bite-sized, juicy morsel of related news
With a potential prize of over $100 million on the line, the 2025 Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur was an playing-for-all-the-marbles match. The financial implications of the outcome were significant, with the winning team securing additional revenue from the prize money and qualification for the Champions League.
Sports Manchester United missed a golden opportunity to boost their finances by losing the 2025 Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. European-leagues The defeat not only denied them a place in next season's European competitions, but also cost them over $100 million in additional prize money and qualification for the Champions League.
Premier-league The financial shortfall was further compounded by their disappointing performance in the Premier League, where they finished 15th, barely escaping relegation. This marked their lowest league position since its inception in 1992, highlighting the club's struggles on multiple fronts.
