Man United hit by £15m blow after development – Kieran Maguire
Man United would have earned a minimum of £15million from gate receipts alone had they qualified for the Europa Conference League.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the financial impact if United drop out of all European competitions.
Erik ten Hag’s side finished eighth in the table this season – the lowest the club has ever finished in the Premier League era.
It means the Red Devils have missed out on European football next season unless they beat rivals Manchester City in this weekend’s FA Cup.
If United come out on top at Wembley on Saturday afternoon (25 May) they will qualify for the Europa League and Newcastle United will instead miss out on European football.
Maguire explained that while United qualifying for Europe would require them to comply with stricter financial rules, the club would have also benefitted from prize money and £15million of matchday income.
Man United miss out on £15m+ after European failure
“It’ll be a very sad day for football if a club is better off not playing in Europe because of finances,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“The prize money on offer in the Europa Conference League is very small compared to that of the Champions League.“
“Clubs in Europe would also have to be within the 70 percent threshold of Uefa regulations compared to the 85 percent allowed in the Premier League.“
“It should also be remembered that regardless of the opposition, Manchester United will sell out 75,000 tickets for every game and there will be a minimum of four games played in the Europa League which would equate to around £15million in gate receipts.
“So not only would fans have been enthusiastic about playing in Europe but they have missed out on £15million.“
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