Exclusive: Mbeumo delay impacts Man United PSR plan – ‘Important caveat’
Man United’s PSR and transfer plans will have been impacted by the delay in completing Bryan Mbeumo’s transfer from Brentford.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider that the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) were an important factor in the Red Devils’ summer plans, despite the club being in a stable position financially.
Man United began the summer by signing Matheus Cunha, and looked to add the winger soon after, making their first offer for the Cameroon international at the start of June.
However, Mbeumo completed his move to Man United from Brentford on 21 July for £71million [BBC Sport], nearly a month-and-a-half after they first sought to do a deal for the Bees’ star man.
The ex-Troyes winger was highly sought-after, following a stunning 2024/25 campaign for the West London club that saw the 25-year-old score 20 goals and assist seven more.
But the delay may have knock-on ramifications for the business that United are capable of doing this summer.
PSR ‘important caveat’ for Man United transfers
Speaking to Football Insider, Plumley, a senior lecturer from Sheffield Hallam University, explained why the timing of the deal mattered.
The finance expert said that, if a deal had been done before the end of June, the transfer would have fallen into the 2024/25 PSR window, a period in which Man United were in a strong position.
But since it did not take place until July, it would count against the 2025/26 window, placing limitations on what the Red Devils could do financially.
Plumley said: “The PSR caveat is important within this and what the Premier League do next. But if you look at the context of when clubs make those transfers, if it is at the start of a new year PSR-wise, you are baking in that cost for the year, which you know is going to impact the bottom line. And then you’ve got how that fits with the three-year rolling period.
“You do know as a club where you’re setting your sights because you are committing to that cost, and of course, if you then add more players this summer, then you are adding to that cost for this year.
“Sometimes you’ll see clubs work on three-year transfer cycles as well. United have been a little bit more volatile.
“It still appears to me that they need to get a couple off the books. And of course, they want to get a couple off the books.
“The other thing there is the result of the Europa League final. That changed that dynamic quite a lot as well because had they won that and got into the Champions League, that would have made life even better.
“Not that there’s any real cause for concern, but it’s those little things that just shift the margins a little bit. I think if you’re looking at the here and now and what happens between now and the transfer window closing, if they are going to go out and sign more players, there’s probably going to have to be a couple that leave to offset that.
“But also, you are then looking at that in the bigger picture of the year cycle and how that impacts PSR with your amortisation, your wages and how that fits together as well.”
Calvert-Lewin tipped for cut-price contract with Man United
Plumley’s estimations of the Red Devils’ transfer approach for the rest of the summer already seem to be coming true.
Man United have been tipped to offer Dominic Calvert-Lewin a pay-as-you-play deal, after the England international left Everton as a free agent.
Ruben Amorim is keen to add a new number nine to his side, thanks to Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s struggles last season.
Calvert-Lewin may be several years removed from his prime, but the former Sheffield United striker would offer experience, and the 28-year-old is a cheap option.