Man United face financial crisis as new Glazers ‘concern’ emerges
Manchester United’s financial situation has been a hot topic of debate as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to plot the path to a successful future.
Ratcliffe purchased an initial 27.7 per cent stake at Old Trafford in February 2024 after agreeing a £1.25billion deal with the Glazers, with the INEOS chief taking over the club’s footballing operations.
Man United posted a new club-record revenue last season after their turnover improved from £661.8million in 2023-24 to £666.5m.
That figure was boosted by Man United’s significant uplift in commercial revenue, which increased from £302.9m to £333.3m across the same period.
However, that doesn’t tell the entire story about the 20-time English champions’ commercial appeal after multiple issues have emerged in recent months.
Why Man United are facing commercial issues
Man United’s sponsorship issues came on the back of their 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season.
Under the terms of their kit manufacturer deal with Adidas, Man United were deducted £10m from their £90m-a-year agreement after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Marriott International – the world’s largest hotel company – decided not to extend its sponsorship deal with the club after it expired at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Man United are also currently without a training kit partner after their Tezos deal, which was worth around £24m a year, came to an end last summer.
The Athletic reported on Thursday (5 February) the shortfall in sponsorship revenue was on the agenda at the recent executive committee meeting at the club’s Carrington training complex, where Joel and Avram Glazer were in attendance.
The news outlet revealed the Glazers have voiced their concerns about Man United’s commercial performance, with Jean-Claude Blanc, chief executive of INEOS Sport, now becoming more actively involved at Old Trafford.
How Man United are falling behind Premier League rivals
The commercial issues currently facing Man United suggest a crisis could be on the cards if the situation doesn’t quickly improve.
Deloitte’s 2026 Money League revealed Liverpool generated the highest revenue in the Premier League last season at £702m.
That saw Man United move down to fourth spot behind Manchester City and Arsenal, who recorded figures of £694m and £690m.
Another commercial issue is just around the corner at Old Trafford as Man United’s sleeve sponsorship deal with DXC Technology expires this summer, potentially leaving another £20m hole in the accounts.
However, qualification for the Champions League this season could improve their appeal to potential sponsors.
A recent upturn in form under interim manager Michael Carrick has seen Man United move up to fourth in the Premier League table.
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