Top Sales for Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United has faced numerous challenges over the past decade, with their transfer dealings ranking among the most concerning. Following a dominant era under Sir Alex Ferguson, United hasn’t clinched the Premier League title since his retirement in 2013, a decline extensively documented. A key factor in this downturn has been their impulsive spending on players, often lacking a coherent strategy.
Repeatedly, United has overpaid for players, offering exorbitant salaries that have made it difficult to offload them. Since Ferguson stepped down, the only clubs to spend more than United’s €2.14 billion are Chelsea (€2.87 billion) and Manchester City (€2.31 billion), yet United tops the world in terms of net spend at €1.54 billion. With a challenging season behind them, Ruben Amorim aims to revitalize his squad this summer, but his transfer budget heavily relies on selling players. Unfortunately, United’s track record in player sales is appalling, and we’ve examined how they compare to other European teams.
Review of Manchester United’s Selling Record
Since INEOS acquired a 27.7% stake in Manchester United in February 2024, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has emphasized the need to enhance their transfer strategy. While new signings garner the most attention, it’s equally essential for United to develop talent within and capitalize on sales for profit. As shown in the graphic below, United ranks just ninth among English clubs for transfer income over the past decade.
United has generated €545 million from player sales, which falls short of their key competitors, including Manchester City (€922 million) and Liverpool (€690 million), let alone Chelsea at €1.44 billion. Recently, United has struggled to offload surplus players, often settling for subsidized loan deals or reduced transfer fees due to buyer constraints on wages. In fact, United ranks 32nd globally for transfer income in the last decade, significantly trailing other top European clubs. Cristiano Ronaldo’s €94 million transfer to Real Madrid in 2009 remains the club’s highest sale, with David Beckham’s move in 2003 still holding fourth place. Remarkably, United has only managed to sell six players for fees exceeding €30 million, highlighting the urgent need for improvement in this area as they strive to regain former prestige.
Can Manchester United Generate Funds Through Player Sales This Summer?
The need to boost revenue through player transactions has become even more critical recently due to stricter financial regulations. Selling players, particularly academy prospects, provides greater flexibility regarding financial sustainability. United has faced financial limitations in recent transfer windows but has already secured Matheus Cunha for €74 million this summer and submitted a bid of around €70 million for Bryan Mbeumo. However, it’s understood that any further purchases hinge on offloading unwanted players such as Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Jadon Sancho, among others. Last summer, United’s management managed to fetch substantial fees for Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood, but the forthcoming months will determine whether the new administration can fully capitalize on the players’ value.