Manchester United are targeting Champions League qualification but a defeat to Leeds United has set up a nervy finish to the 2025/26 season.
A 2-1 defeat to Leeds United at Old Trafford means that Manchester United remain third in the Premier League table, but joint on points with Aston Villa in fourth.
A top-five finish is enough for Champions League qualification in 2026/27, and Michael Carrick has six games remaining to achieve that target.
The financial impact of Champions League football is significant, and the prize pool on offer is only going to get bigger.
TOPSHOT-FBL-EURO-C3-DRAW
Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea (A), Brentford (H), and Liverpool (H) are our next three fixtures – how damaging could this loss be?
United remain in third despite the defeat, there's little room for error
Getty Images
Champions League prize money will scale up after £870m news
According to The Guardian, Uefa is set to bring in more than €1bn (£870m) just through commercial revenue from club competitions.
That is because Uefa are close to agreeing two more global sponsorship deals which will boost their revenue. Sponsorship income is predicted to rise by “more than 40%”.
As pointed out in the report, Uefa currently allocates 74 per cent of its income to Champions League prize money, with 17 per cent going to the Europa League pool and nine per cent to the Conference League.
More United News
It means that the prize money up for grabs in the Champions League will be bigger and better than ever, so it is paramount that United are there to cash in.
The broadcast income is also improving after rights in the UK were sold for a 20 per cent increase. Uefa’s overall commercial earnings are now set to reach over €6bn.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe was spotted watching Man Utd lose to Leeds – What do you think he was thinking?
Do you have a message for Sir Jim after that performance?
Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Man Utd cannot afford to miss out on Champions League
United have missed out on the Champions League in two successive years, and it has had a big financial impact.
The value of United’s Adidas deal was cut because of a Champions League clause, and the Red Devils find themselves falling further and further behind rivals financially.
READ MORE: Man Utd warned of three ‘ramifications’ of Champions League failure as Michael Carrick prepares for final run-in
The Champions League will provide over £100m in revenue for United, and potentially even more depending on how far they progress in the competition.
If Ineos truly want to challenge for the biggest honours and restore United’s spot on the football throne, the minimum expectation moving forward has to be Champions League qualification.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox