Manchester United’s annual net loss increased by almost one third to £43 million ($57m) despite record-breaking revenues announced on Wednesday. The Red Devils reported £677.6 million ($897.8m) in revenue for the year to June 30, up 1.7 percent. However, the football club announced a seventh straight annual loss after taxes as co-owner Jim Ratcliffe’s cuts to operating costs offset contractual payments to sacked manager Ruben Amorim and a big increase in loan repayments.
The latest earnings relate to a turbulent 2025-26 season, which saw former United player Michael Carrick replace Amorim and secure qualification for the Champions League. The increase in revenue was driven by an uptick in broadcasting income, boosted by a third-place finish in the Premier League, up from 15th the previous season. But commercial and match-day income each fell close to five percent during a season in which there were no European fixtures. Broadcasting income jumped almost 20 percent.
United’s accounts showed that they paid £8.2 million ($10.9m) in exceptional items, mostly related to the departure of Amorim, who left in January after 14 months in charge. Accounts also revealed that the club paid £63.5 million ($84m) to acquire land adjacent to stadium site Old Trafford, on which they plan to build a new 100,000-capacity arena. Ratcliffe has overseen wide-ranging, and often unpopular, cost-cutting measures, including widespread job cuts, after completing a deal to buy a stake in the club in February 2024.
Man United CEO Omar Berrada said the latest figures showed the club’s underlying strength. “This shows the direct impact of the work we have been doing over the past two years,” he said in a statement. “It also proves Manchester United’s enduring popularity and commercial strength. While these results confirm that we are on the right trajectory, we will continue to take a disciplined approach to ensure our finances remain sustainable,” he added. United expect revenue of between £740 million ($980m) and £760 million ($1bn) in the current financial year.
Carrick’s team has started the new season poorly despite signing a clutch of new players in the summer transfer window. United have taken only five points from their five Premier League games – equalling the club’s worst-ever start to a season – and last week crashed out of the English League Cup.
Source: www.aljazeera.com