Man Utd financial results hide key area where they are hundreds of millions behind rivals
Manchester United have released their latest financial results showing a £32.6m operating profit, but the club trail Chelsea and Man City in another area
Manchester United trail the remainder of the big six by hundreds of millions of pounds regarding player sales to raise capital. The Red Devils released their second-quarter financial results on Wednesday afternoon, recording an operating profit of £32.6million across the opening six months of fiscal 2026.
That represents a substantial improvement on the £3.9m profit from the corresponding period in 2025. Consequently, United maintain they have successfully controlled their structural cost base to boost profitability. The club will find themselves in an even stronger position should their attempts to qualify for the Champions League in 2026/27 bear fruit.
However, numerous areas remain where significant improvement is possible. According to research from Price Of Football host, Kieran Maguire, United have accumulated just £254m through player sales since 2017. While the sum may appear substantial initially, it pales in comparison to the £1,257m that Chelsea have amassed in the same timeframe.
Even fierce rivals Manchester City have succeeded in generating more than twice United's total from player sales since 2017, achieving a figure of £765m. Meanwhile, the Reds sit bottom of the rankings for income from departures, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal all surpassing the Premier League heavyweights.
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 forfeiting an opportunity to move them on during the January transfer window and generate funds, Meanwhile, Casemiro is poised to leave Old Trafford this summer when his contract expires, able to join a new club of his choosing without any fee being paid to United.
Additionally, United could seek to increase income by finalising fresh sponsorship agreements, as they risk confronting a £44m shortfall this summer. The club's training kit arrangement with Tezos concluded in June, believed to be valued at £24m per season.
Furthermore, their sleeve sponsorship agreement with DXC Technology ends at the season's conclusion, also estimated to be worth an additional £20m. Should the club be unable to secure new agreements for 2026/27, it could represent a significant financial setback.
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