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Man Utd need drastic improvement, club chiefs tell Ruben Amorim

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has admitted drastic improvement is needed at the club next season after their worst campaign for more than half a century.

Ruben Amorim’s side finished in 15th position, the club’s lowest league placing since top flight relegation in 1974, and ended the campaign empty-handed and with no European qualification after losing the Europa League final to Spurs.

“We were proud to reach the final of the Uefa Europa League but, ultimately, we were disappointed to finish as runner-up in Bilbao,” United chief executive Berrada said. “We had a difficult season in the Premier League, which we all know fell below our standards and we have a clear expectation of improvement next season.”

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada outside the Munich Memorial Plaque at Old Trafford, Manchester to mark the 67th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster before the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace. Picture date: Sunday February 2, 2025

United chief executive Omar Berrada has publicly demanded an improvement in performances - PA/Martin Rickett

United released their third-quarter accounts for this season on Friday, which reflected the impact of the club’s cost-cutting measures and the new hierarchy’s early moves to reshape the squad and wages.

Having posted a £66.2 million operating loss for the corresponding period last season, United recorded an operating profit of just under £1 million for the three months to March 31 this year.

Significantly, United’s wage plummeted almost 21 per cent to £71.2 million for the quarter on the back of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s staff cuts, Marcus Rashford’s exit on loan to Aston Villa and other January departures.

The net loss for the period was £2.7 million compared with £71.5 million in the corresponding quarter last year.

United are forecasting total revenues of between £660 million and £670 million for the year but Berrada admitted the club were under no illusions about the scale of underperformance this term and the need for a marked turnaround next season.

Positive signs

United have made positive early moves in their effort to rebuild the squad for next season by signing Brazil forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5 million.

Captain Bruno Fernandes has also signalled his intention to stay at Old Trafford by rejecting an enormous contract offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal and United are in talks about signing Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, who rejected an initial £55 million offer.

Work on a £50 million revamp of United’s Carrington training base is due to finish next month in time for the start of the new season and the club have announced plans to pursue the development of a new 100,000 capacity stadium next to their existing Old Trafford home.

Architectural renders showing inside the proposed new Manchester United stadium and surrounding area development, designed by Foster + Partners

Plans are afoot for a new home ground for United - Foster + Partners

“We remain focused on infrastructure, with the redevelopment of our Carrington Training Complex continuing and on track, which will be the heart of our club, providing world-class facilities for all our teams and our staff,” Berrada added.

“We have also announced our aspiration to pursue a new 100,000 seat stadium, sitting at the heart of the regeneration of the Old Trafford area, which would be a catalyst for growth and investment in our local community.

“We are continuing to work with all the relevant stakeholders, including central government, to support their vision for growth.”

United incurred exceptional items of £2.7 million for the quarter relating to their restructuring programme, with another 200 jobs due to be shed on top of last summer’s cull of 250 staff.

The club’s debt stood at £500.9 million with a further £212.3 million owed on their revolving credit facility. United’s cash balance stood at £73.2 million compared with £67 million in the prior quarter last year, which shows that the balance sheet remains strained, despite Ratcliffe’s £237 million capital injection.

No excuses: Top six and cup runs would ease pressure

It goes without saying that the level of underperformance at United last season was shocking and wholly unacceptable for a club of their size, stature and ambition.

Berrada has not hidden from that and has made it clear in the club’s latest accounts that there is an expectation of significant improvement next term. But what will improvement look like? What can they realistically expect to achieve?

United have wasted no time in the process of rebuilding the squad and hope to make Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo their second summer signing after Matheus Cunha as they target the team’s chronic shortage of goals, which amounted merely to 44 in 38 Premier League matches en route to a 15th-placed finish.

Captain Bruno Fernandes also appears to be staying after rebuffing the advances of Al-Hilal and fans will hope to see more signings and a host of players departing amid Amorim’s plans to run with a leaner, meaner squad given the absence of European football.

United have fallen so far that, whereas once Champions League qualification felt like the minimum requirement, it could now be argued a top-six finish would constitute success next season.

No European football will allow Amorim to focus almost exclusively on the Premier League and also potentially reduce the injury threat, although it will also heighten the expectation among fans of strong showings in the domestic cup competitions and increase the pressure to deliver in the league.

United are not battling with the top clubs alone any more and it is worth noting that the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea have all signalled notice of their intention to spend big this summer.

The likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa and even smaller but well-run and ambitious clubs like Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Brentford have leapfrogged United, which makes the challenge facing Amorim and his players all the greater.

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