Manchester United have the highest net-spend on transfers in Europe over the last five years according to a UEFA report
Manchester United have been revealed as the European club with the highest net-spend
Manchester United have been revealed as the European club with the highest net-spend(Image: (Jacob King/PA Wire))
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Manchester United are the highest net-spenders for transfers in Europe over the last five years, a UEFA report has revealed. Their European Club Finance and Investment Landscape assessment has also highlighted the financial dominance of the Premier League in comparison to other major divisions.
That was particularly evidenced by the increase in television revenue to £1.3bn (€1.5b) for English clubs. That staggering figure very nearly amounted to the £1.4bn (€1.6bn) that 53 other European top-division leagues received combined.
Despite taking a share of that major financial boost, United's specific failures have also been exposed by UEFA, with £692million emerging as their net spend on transfers between 2021 and 2025. Significant losses on the likes of Antony and Paul Pogba have undoubtedly impacted that, even with other Premier League clubs spending more.
The likes of Chelsea and Arsenal have parted ways with substantial transfer fees over the five-year period, accounting for £656m and £587m, respectively, as their net spends. England's financial dominance has also been demonstrated on the pitch with six teams in the last-16 of this season's Champions League.
For UEFA to publish their findings, an examination of financial accounts from 2021 to 2025 was conducted. This meant the impact of all transfer activity across the five years was included, encompassing profits on sale, amortisation from earlier transfers and impairments.
In the report, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: "After a decade that included one of the toughest periods our sport and our society have faced, European football has come through in a strong position. Club revenues have grown steadily across the board, and top-division income is expected to pass €30bn in the 2025 financial year."
There have been some financial bright spots for United lately, though, with their most recent accounts revealing an operating profit of £32.6million recorded for the opening six months of the fiscal year.
Compared to the £3.9m loss reported during the equivalent period in the previous year, that represents quite the uplift with those improvements fuelled by strategic cost-management measures authorised by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
It appeared to be a difficult financial period for United without the inclusion of European football and the substantial funding that accompanies it, but evidently, that has not been the case.
There has, however, been a predictable decline in commercial and matchday revenue due to fewer fixtures, with the club just over £9million down.
Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada
Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada issued an update after the release of the club's latest accounts(Image: Getty Images)
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United CEO Omar Berrada stated: "We are now seeing the positive financial impact of our off-pitch transformation materialise both in our costs and profitability. We continue to take a football first approach and invest in both our men's and women's first teams.
"On the pitch our men's team sits fourth in the Premier League and our women's team are second in the Women's Super League, as well as reaching the League Cup final and the quarter-final of the UEFA Women's Champions League.
"Today's results demonstrate the underlying strength of our business as we continue to push for the best football results possible for our men's and women's teams."