Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has explained the financial benefits to Manchester United securing a third-place finish in the Premier League.
Because of the resurgence of form under Michael Carrick, Manchester United have climbed to third with just seven Premier League matches remaining.
United return to action with a clash against fierce rivals Leeds United, and victory would put the Red Devils 10 points clear of Chelsea in sixth.
A top-five finish is enough for Champions League qualification because of England’s Uefa coefficient, so that is the ultimate aim for Carrick. But there is a financial incentive to finish third rather than fifth.
Results have gone in our favour so far – will United take advantage vs Leeds?
A win will put us in a strong position to clinch a Champions League place
Getty Images
Michael Carrick watching Man Utd against Bournemouth
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
What are the financial benefits if Man Utd finish 3rd rather than 5th
United in Focus spoke exclusively to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, and he explained the incentive for United to finish as high as possible this season.
“There are some benefits to Manchester United finishing 3rd instead of 5th,” Maguire explained.
“It does impact upon the different pools of money that UEFA have, some of which are based on the performance of the club in the domestic league.
More United News
“It affects your UEFA coefficient as well which, going forwards, if Manchester United are going to be regularly qualifying for the Champions League, they want to build that up because that’s effectively free money from being a successful club.
“What happens is that each of the 36 clubs in the Champions League is ranked from one to 36 based on the UEFA coefficient, and I think it’s worth around about €1 million per place.
“So the side that finishes has the worst coefficient gets €1 million. The side that is top, which is currently Real Madrid, will get €36 million.
“So that’s impacted upon not just by your European performance, but it’s linked to seedings and so on when it comes to participation in the main tournament.”
Is the Premier League’s financial distribution system fair?
Do United deserve more cash for attracting viewers? Or should prize money be decided on the pitch?
Manchester United v Real Sociedad de Futbol - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg
Photo by George Wood – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Man Utd could earn millions by finishing 3rd in Premier League
As explained by Maguire, United finishing as high as possible will add to the club’s Uefa coefficient, which impacts how much United will earn from the Champions League.
As per the current UEFA coefficient standings, United have dropped down to 20th in Europe.
Then there is also a difference in the amount of Premier League merit prize money awarded to a club based on where they finish.
As per Football365, club accounts showed that third-placed Manchester City last season earned £47.7 million in merit payments.
READ MORE: £300m Man Utd deal now looks like a masterstroke as Premier League rivals scramble
In comparison, fifth-placed Newcastle United earned £42.4 million in merit payments – a difference of over £5 million.
Therefore, United finishing as high as possible even if Champions League qualification is secured is paramount.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox