Manchester United are conducting an internal review of the financial impact of Manchester City's Premier League charges, and their players could claim millions
Mason Mount of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford
Manchester United players' wages were directly impacted by Man City during the same period they've been found guilty of breaking financial rules
View 2 Images
Manchester United have 'conducted internal assessments' of the economic impact on the club from the seasons Man City broke financial rules. United players could also be due compensation from lost wages, having been directly impacted by missing out on a Champions League place to their rivals.
Missing out on qualification typically results in a 25 per cent drop in wages due to the reduction clauses included in United players' contracts. For players earning £100,000s every week, any potential loss of earnings would be measured in millions, especially if bonuses related to qualifying are accounted.
City, who have been charged for breaking 114 financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 campaigns, denied United a top-four spot by grabbing the final spot above them on goal difference in the 2015/16 season. United have also come second to City three times since 2009, though the 2020-21 season falls outside of the years City were found guilty of cheating.
The Athletic reports that United are primarily concentrating on campaigns in which City's league position most directly affected them financially. Other Premier League sides are also said to be examining the impact of City's actions, with the ever-escalating situation set to get messier.
Their sources suggest that assessments at United have been ongoing for some time, despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe having previously taken a sympathetic stance publicly toward City's case. However, clubs are now seeking to establish what they may be legally entitled to if City face sanctions.
Section W of the Premier League's regulations provides a pathway to compensation for clubs, as Burnley utilised in their £35m case against Everton, which the latter are still appealing. Climbing just one position in the Premier League standings is worth approximately £2-3million.
Meanwhile, Champions League qualification proves far more profitable than Europa League entry. Clubs pocket £16million simply for taking part in its league phase, over three times the £4million awarded for Europa League participation.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak
Manchester City have appealed against their guilty verdict(Image: Elsa - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
United are amongst four Premier League sides understood to have retained the right to pursue damages should City be found guilty. Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were the other clubs that filed legal notices ahead of a potential statute of limitations deadline in 2024, formally registering possible compensation claims for arbitration.
Two years later, an independent commission has ruled City guilty of all charges relating to serious violations of the Premier League's financial regulations across a nine-season period from 2009/10 to 2017/18. Their conclusions include that City were substantially in breach of the Premier League's spending restrictions and that they were accused of 'sham' deals to artificially inflate their revenue by £900million.
City, however, continue to protest their innocence and have now appealed to the chair of the judicial panel. They argue that the commission's ruling "contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe."
The Athletic also reports that sources close to United's recruitment strategy suggest the desire to outmanoeuvre City played a part in escalating expenditure, with substantial funds devoted to beating their rivals to signings.
In 2018, United brought in then Man City target Alexis Sanchez on a record-breaking deal that had knock-on effects for subsequent contracts, including David de Gea's. The club eventually sent him on loan to Inter within 18 months before he departed for nothing.
They also went head-to-head with City when bringing back Cristiano Ronaldo, whose deal they later cancelled by mutual agreement six months before its expiry. More recently, City pipped United to Elliot Anderson this summer.
The FA, meanwhile, have broken their silence on the City saga. A statement released on Friday read: "The Independent Commission’s decision has significant implications for the integrity of the game.
"We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate. As proceedings between the Premier League and Manchester City Football Club remain ongoing, we do not intend to comment further at this stage. We will, however, continue to monitor developments closely."
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.