Manchester United released their second-quarter financial results on Wednesday, but one area in particular leaves room for substantial improvement
Manchester United released their second-quarter financial results
Manchester United released their second-quarter financial results(Image: 2026 CameraSport)
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Manchester United are hundreds of millions of pounds behind the rest of the big six when it comes to selling players to generate funds. The Reds released their second-quarter financial figures on Wednesday afternoon, posting an operating profit of £32.6million in the first six months of fiscal 2026.
That's a major turnaround in the £3.9m profit from the same period in 2025. As a result, United believe that they have effectively managed their structural cost base to increase profitability.
The club will also be in an even better position should their efforts to secure Champions League qualification for 2026/27 prove fruitful. However, there are still a number of areas which have plenty of room for improvement.
As per findings from Price Of Football host, Kieran Maguire, United have generated just £254m in player sales since 2017. While the figure may seem impressive on the face of things, it's a drop in the ocean to the £1,257m that Chelsea have raised in the same period.
Even bitter rivals Manchester City have managed to generate more than double what United have in player sales since 2017, boasting a total of £765m. Meanwhile, the Reds are bottom of the pile in terms of funds from outgoings, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal each outperforming the Premier League giants.
How much big six teams have made from transfers since 2017
Chelsea - £1,257m
Manchester City - £765m
Liverpool - £593m
Spurs - £398m
Arsenal - £388m
Manchester United - £254m
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Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof left the club as free agents last summer, with United missing a chance to offload them in the January transfer window and cash in.
Elsewhere, Casemiro is set to part ways with Old Trafford this summer upon the expiry of his own contract, free to join a new club of his choice without any compensation going to United. Elsewhere, United could also look to boost revenue by securing new sponsorship deals, given they could run the risk of facing a £44m black hole this summer.
The club's training kit deal with Tezos expired in June, which was thought to be worth £24m per season. Meanwhile, their sleeve sponsorship deal with DXC Technology comes to a close at the end of the season, also thought to be worth a further £20m.
Should the club fail to arrange new deals for 2026/27, it could come as a major financial blow.
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