How Are Man Utd Able to Afford Benjamin Sesko?
Recent headlines around Manchester United have painted a concerning financial picture—staff redundancies, cost-cutting measures, and reports of potential financial instability. So, how exactly is the club preparing to fund a £65.2m move for RB Leipzig’s rising star Benjamin Sesko, especially amid a rumored £200m attacking overhaul? The answer lies in smart financial maneuvering, strategic player sales, and some misconceptions about the club’s fiscal health.
Manchester United’s Financial Strategy: Deals Driven by Structure, Not Just Cash
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire explains that while Man Utd’s recent cost-cutting measures are real, the club remains a commercial powerhouse. If Manchester United sneeze, football catches a cold, he told BBC Sport. It is the biggest brand in English football.
The key to their spending lies in structured payments. Rather than paying transfer fees in lump sums, United are spreading costs over long-term contracts. Their deals for Matheus Cunha (£50m from Wolves) and Bryan Mbeumo (£80m from Brentford) are structured favorably, with payments split over several years.
Any move for Sesko would follow the same model—his £65.2m fee (potentially rising to £73.8m with add-ons) would be amortized across the length of his contract, easing immediate financial pressure.
Raising Funds Through Player Sales and Smart Business
Man Utd have been equally proactive in offloading players to offset their spending. Notable sales and financial gains include:
– Marcus Rashford’s Loan to Barcelona: The club is saving his full £325,000-a-week wages, a significant financial relief.
– Jadon Sancho’s Collapsed Chelsea Move: Despite the deal falling through, United received £5m from Chelsea due to a walkaway clause.
– Sell-On Clauses: More than £15m was recouped through clauses tied to the sales of Anthony Elanga, Álvaro Carreras, and Maxi Oyedele.
Additionally, the club has used its academy graduates to boost revenue. Last summer, United sold Mason Greenwood (€30m) and Scott McTominay (€35m), and they could offload Alejandro Garnacho before the window closes.
Even if their signings cost £200m, it’s £40m per year amortized—and they’ll recover costs by selling ‘bomb squad’ players, Maguire noted.
The Bigger Financial Picture: Commercial Strength Offsets On-Field Struggles
Manchester United’s recent Premier League struggles (including their lowest-ever finish in 2023-24) haven’t dented their commercial dominance:
– Matchday Revenue: Old Trafford remains the highest-grossing stadium in English football.
– Commercial Earnings: Sponsorship and merchandising continue to thrive, with a £180m–£190m core profit forecast for 2024.
– European Success: Their Europa League final run last season provided vital additional income.
However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been vocal about the club’s financial discipline. Earlier this year, he warned that United could’ve faced insolvency without significant cutbacks. If you spend more than you earn, that’s the road to ruin, he told the BBC.
Yet, he also emphasized that player investment remains a priority:
Where do you want to spend the money? On operating costs or the squad? We want to invest in the best players in the world—not free lunches.
Can Man Utd Compete Financially with Liverpool and Chelsea?
Despite their strong revenue streams, United are not as financially stable as their Big Six rivals.
– Wage Bill: At 50% of revenue, it’s manageable but not as efficient as Liverpool’s (45%) or Chelsea’s (47%).
– Debt & Interest Costs: The Ineos takeover added financial strain, though PSR (Profit & Sustainability Rules) exempt some of these costs.
– Future Spending Limits: Unlike rivals, United must sell before buying beyond Sesko, as manager Ruben Amorim confirmed.
Man Utd can’t spend as much as Liverpool and Chelsea, Maguire admitted. But they’re still a juggernaut with a global brand, huge stadium, and commercial firepower.
Final Verdict: A Calculated Gamble on Sesko
While Man Utd’s finances aren’t flawless, they’ve engineered a way to afford Benjamin Sesko by:
✔ Structured transfer payments—spreading costs over contracts.
✔ Significant player sales—removing wage burdens and generating cash.
✔ Exploiting commercial strength—leveraging their unmatched brand appeal.
The road ahead remains challenging—£131m in losses last season highlights structural issues—but their flexible financing model ensures they can still compete in the transfer market.
For now, Sesko’s arrival signals United’s intent: they may be cutting costs off the pitch, but they’re not done spending on it.
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