Manchester United are likely to make around £200m next season, with half of that expected to be generated in the upcoming transfer window, and their return to the Champions League due to bring in up to £100m in extra revenue.
With that achievement and a big new injection of cash, it makes it more likely that Michael Carrick will be given the head coach’s reins for the longer term.
It also means that United can significantly expand their transfer plans this summer.
However, neither of those things are guaranteed, and it is clear every decision (whether concerning the head coach or new signings) will be carefully considered and, crucially, will have to fit into the bigger project designed to deliver repeatable future success at Old Trafford.
The buzz phrase remains “sustainability” and whilst that isn’t sexy for the supporters, United will not deviate from the plan to target key players, in key positions, in order to continue the gradual strengthening of the squad.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool.
It will come as a disappointment to some United fans for sure that the bosses won’t go out and splash the cash that is due to come their way. But that is part of the point – the money is due.
It is spread in instalments throughout the next season, rather than coming in as one lump sum. That means the club can’t afford to blow the lot before a ball is kicked in August.
Nevertheless, the numbers are exciting. Even if United lose every Champions League match, they will earn up to £70m from the additional broadcast revenue, ticket sales, merchandising, corporate activity and more. And they will automatically get an extra £10m from Adidas, their kit supplier, by being back in the European big time.
But the existing squad sees a boost to their wages as a result of making the Champions League, so that is immediately a higher cost to the club. And it is far too simplistic – and misleading – to think that United will be able to spend all of their new Champions League money on new players.
Don’t forget the club’s plan to have a massive new 100,000-seater stadium ready for business in the next five to six years.
And so when it comes to squad changes this summer, whilst the priority has, for a long time now, been to bring in two elite-level central midfielders. It is just as much a focus of the hierarchy to reduce the costs, and trim the squad by finally jettisoning some of the big earners.
That cost-cutting is likely to help United’s finances to a greater degree even than the £80-100m injection of European money.
Rasmus Hojlund‘s potential £38m sale to Napoli becomes guaranteed if they secure Champions League football, and with the sales of Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee also likely to happen in the upcoming window, that will again bolster the finances.
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Carrick was pleased at the spirit, togetherness and camaraderie in Manchester United’s win over Liverpool and feels natural to be the United boss.
The freed-up wage space from Casemiro‘s departure, with Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia‘s contracts also expiring in the coming months, will allow United to strengthen their squad.
That depth will be needed, with many more games on the fixture list for next season. Midfield is the obvious area in need of attention, with Manuel Ugarte expected to join Casemiro in leaving the club also.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson remains a priority target, and the club has had a long-term interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali.
Left-back will be a position the club look to reinforce this summer. Luke Shaw has performed admirably since reverting to left-back under Carrick but the position is perhaps United’s weakest in terms of back-up players.
Malacia is out of contract this summer and has played just seven minutes of Premier League football this season. With the increase in games, Shaw’s workload will need to be managed with his previous injury history. United hold an interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown and are monitoring Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall, alongside Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Left-wing is another position that United will look to have more flexibility in. And the injection of European money means they may well be fishing in a bigger pool than they might have been otherwise.
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Matheus Cunha is backing Carrick to stay at Manchester United for next season, claiming he ‘has the magic’.
Matheus Cunha has predominantly owned that position this season, with Patrick Dorgu showing he can be an option as well. If United are able to reinforce their left-sided attacking options, they would be looking at a slightly different profile of player – a more direct, right-footed winger.
RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande has been a long-term target for the club but is expected to attract widespread interest around Europe this summer. Might United’s increased buying power make those negotiations easier?
Certainly, the fact that the club can offer Champions League football to would-be recruits is a massive plus.
As for Carrick’s future, that remains unconfirmed. United won’t make a decision about the head coach’s position until after the end of this season, and they are determined to hold a rigorous interview process.
Names like Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique have been on United’s radar.
For certain, though, Carrick is the strong favourite, and it is hard to see how the club could justify giving the job to someone else, when the former United player has delivered on every single one of the objectives he was set in January.
Nevertheless, whilst Champions League qualification massively strengthens his claim, it does not guarantee his coronation. And United will interview other candidates before finalising their choice.
