Stefan Borson: This is how much Man United could spend after Sir Jim Ratcliffe plan revealed
Manchester United are exploring ways to improve their squad as they look to secure a return to European football.
However, there is also a focus around potential exits as co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to cut Man United’s wage bill.
The Sun reported on 26 November Ruben Amorim’s side are hoping to save up to £2.1million a week on wages, with several permanent exits on the cards.
Man United have the fifth-highest wage bill in the Premier League after their total dropped from £365m in 2023-24 to £313m last season.
Man United could trigger £200m spending spree
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Man United could spend another £200m on new signings, making it difficult for them to cut their wage bill substantially again.
Amorim’s side spent more than £200m in the recent summer transfer window, with a similar outlay potentially on the cards in 2026.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Man United’s wage bill plans, Borson said: “Part of the whole process with United is going to be strengthening another area of the pitch in the way that they did with the forwards and probably spending the best part of let’s say £150-200m on let’s say three players.
“Well, they are going to be on huge wages as well. I think for a team like United, it’s very unlikely that their wage bill in a like for like to where they are now falls materially from here. This is pretty much the lowest level.
“Then on top of that, you’ve got the Uefa uplifts on the wages. Most players from memory have something like a 20 per cent uplift, so I can’t see that there’s a huge saving. I think this is kind of a base case on their budget.”
Benjamin Sesko was Man United’s most expensive signing of the summer, having joined from RB Leipzig for around £74m.
Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Senne Lammens and Diego Leon also made the move to Old Trafford.
Man United could face Aston Villa and Newcastle issue
Borson insisted Man United could face an issue if they reduce their wage bill to a similar level to the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa.
“If they do reduce the wage bill very dramatically to the sort of level that Newcastle or Aston Villa are at, then that’s fine, but it has to be noted that it would be a real outlier for them to then deliver on the pitch,” said Borson.
“There is a general correlation generally between your wage bill and where you finish in the league.
“If they were to drop it to the levels of Aston Villa and Newcastle, or perhaps even less, then they’re very unlikely to finish in the top four. That is just how football has panned out in this country.”
Newcastle’s wage bill stood at £219m in their latest published accounts for 2023-24, while Aston Villa’s expenditure was £252m across the same period.
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