Keith Wyness

Fri 21 February 2025 16:48, UK

Man United are struggling on and off the pitch in the 2024-25 campaign with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures coinciding with the club’s worst-ever Premier League performance.

Ruben Amorim’s side sit 15th in the top flight table after 25 games following their 12th loss of the league season against Tottenham last week.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month (6 February) that Old Trafford chiefs expected a top-four finish this season and a return to Champions League football.

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has detailed another big financial blow which could be worth in excess of £30million.

Man United’s dramatic fall to prove costly, says Wyness

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted the loss of Premier League prize money means United will “face the music” when the season ends in May.

They earned around £40.3million for finishing eighth in 2023-24 as each position is worth approximately £3.1million.

United’s current position of 15th would earn them £16.9million – more than £30million less than their targeted top-four berth.

Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “They’re looking at the lowest-ever points total in the Premier League for United.

“At £3.1million per place, it makes a lot of difference whether you are 12th or 15-16th.

“United need every penny they can get. They have made very costly mistakes.

“I would sit down and do my forecast compared to the three prior seasons, I’d put in one round of each cup.

“You then know what you’re budgeting against. It’s been a dramatic fall for United, who would have been budgeting for at least the top eight and a European place.

“If they finish 15th, then it’s a big difference – plus no European football.

“They’re going to be facing the music pretty hard.”

‘Ratcliffe could demand bigger Man United stake’

Despite the current disgruntlement surrounding his investment, Football Insider revealed on Thursday (13 February) that Ratcliffe could demand more shares in Man United to help fund the Old Trafford regeneration project.

United’s new stadium plans could cost the club more than £2billion as they will be financially responsible for that part of the project.

The club and a stadium regeneration task force are considering plans to either expand Old Trafford or build a new facility altogether.

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