Manchester United have been fined €300,000 following a minor breach of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.
The Red Devils have spent plenty of funds in the transfer market over the past few seasons, but they have been unable to recoup much through outgoings.
United have seen players leaving on free transfers with Paul Pogba being the most high-profile of them. He cost €105 million from Juventus in the summer of 2016.
This has obviously taken a toll on the club’s finances. They have now received a fine. Between 2019 and 2022, United were found guilty of ‘minor break-even deficits’.
As per The Athletic, their losses for each financial year fell below UEFA’s requirement.
In response, United have released a statement saying: “While disappointed by the outcome, Manchester United accepts this fine for what UEFA acknowledges to be a minor technical breach of its previous Financial Fair Play rules.”
“This reflected a change in the way that UEFA adjusted for COVID-19 losses during the 2022 reporting period, which allowed us to recognise only €15m of the €281m of revenues lost due to the pandemic within the FFP calculation.
“Post-pandemic, the clubs’ revenues have recovered strongly and are forecast to reach a record level in the current financial year. The club continues to support the enforcement of rules to promote financial fair play and sustainability across domestic and European football.”
Despite the minor FFP breach, United’s transfer activity should not be hampered this summer.
The fines were for between 2019 and 2022, and United have since made profits. The club’s revenues are expected to reach a record level in 2023/24, thereby erasing fears of future breaches.
Nonetheless, the club can’t afford to spend big without player sales. Their current summer budget stands at around £120m (€140m), and further spending would depend on several outgoings.
The club are in a better position to sell with the likes of Fred, Anthony Elanga and Dean Henderson on demand, but will need more players heading for the exit door to land their desired targets.
United are currently in advanced talks to land goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter. This would take their spending spree to £98m (€114m). They still require a marquee striker and possibly another midfielder.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
