Following a minor infraction of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play guidelines, Manchester United was assessed a €300,000 fine.
Over the past few seasons, the Red Devils have spent a lot of money on transfers, but they have not been able to make up for it with high outlays.
Players from United have left on free transfers, with Paul Pogba being the most well-known of them. In the summer of 2016, Juventus purchased him for €105 million.
The club’s finances have undoubtedly suffered as a result of this. They are now subject to a fine. United was found to have had “minor break-even deficits” between 2019 and 2022.
Each financial year’s losses, according to The Athletic, were less than what UEFA required.
United has responded by issuing the following statement: “While disappointed by the decision, Manchester United accepts this fine for what UEFA acknowledges to be a minor technical violation of its previous Financial Fair Play rules. ”.
“This reflected a change in how UEFA adjusted for COVID-19 losses during the 2022 reporting period, which allowed us to recognize only €15m of the €281m in lost revenues as a result of the pandemic within the FFP calculation.
“Since the pandemic, the clubs’ revenue has strongly recovered and is anticipated to reach a record level in the current fiscal year. The club is still in favor of rules that encourage financial transparency and sustainability in both domestic and European soccer. ”.
United’s transfer activity this summer shouldn’t be hindered by the minor FFP violation.
The fines covered the years 2019 to 2022, and since then, United has turned a profit. The club’s revenue is predicted to reach a record level in 2023–24, allaying worries about additional breaches.
However, without player sales, the club would be unable to make large purchases. Their estimated £120 million (140 million euros) summer budget is currently in place, and additional spending would be contingent on a number of expenses.
With players like Fred, Anthony Elanga, and Dean Henderson in high demand, the club is in a better position to sell, but they will need more players to leave in order to attract their desired targets.
To acquire Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana, United is currently in advanced negotiations. This would bring the total of their spending binge to £98 million (€114 million). Still needed are a star striker and perhaps another midfielder.
