'The financial numbers are going to look great' - Stefan Borson shares intriguing Man United update
Manchester United are taking a huge risk in implementing a Daniel Levy-style financial model at Old Trafford.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Red Devils are prioritising profit over success on the pitch.
Man United are understood to be making "great" numbers behind the scenes, with player wages being kept under control during the summer window.
However, there is the feeling that Michael Carrick's side is suffering from a lack of star quality due to those higher up wanting to be "super profitable".
After three matches, United are sitting 11th in the Premier League table, and while they beat Sabah FK convincingly, bigger tests are imminent.
With Carlos Baleba, who is currently injured, the most expensive of Carrick's additions in the summer, some red flags are emerging at Old Trafford.
'Daniel Levy model isn't going to work for Man United'
Levy was often criticised for his lack of spending as Tottenham Hotspur chairman, and those same concerns are now being aimed at Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson has warned Man United over adopting a similar financial model, one which Spurs' new owners have instantly turned away from.
"Not that any fans care about this, but the financial numbers that are going to be in there for this season are going to look great," he said.
"The likelihood is that they have kept good control of wages. Revenue is going to be, let's say, £750m-plus. And that's going to make it super profitable in football terms.
"But footballing-wise, I think they're taking a bit of a chance. This is a kind of Daniel Levy model. It's the kind of model that Spurs have said, 'No thanks, we can't do this anymore'.
"That's what it is. It's try and buy players for 20 per cent less than what the market perceives them to be. Try and pick off players that are not considered to be top-tier yet and try and make them top-tier.
"We'll see if it works. It's obviously unlikely to work because otherwise everybody would do it."
Who could Michael Carrick sign in January?
Mick Brown told Football Insider that any calls for Carrick to be sacked are "stupid" despite a rather mixed start to the 2026-27 campaign.
He certainly deserves to be in charge, and in turn, needs to be backed in the transfer window once it reopens in January.
With Borson revealing to Football Insider that Champions League qualification has likely added £100million to their pot, the club could be active.
In fact, there is an expectation for Man United to go back in for Rayan Ait-Nouri, but Football Insider understands that Enzo Maresca has no plan to let him go.