Man Utd: Red Devils announced record revenues in 2026 despite not playing European football | Football News

Manchester United have announced record revenues for 2026, despite not competing in European competition last season.

In their latest report, figures show that United recorded a revenue of £677.6m for the fiscal year, up from the previous record of £666.5m in 2025. However, the club has recorded a pre-tax loss of £43m over the course of the year, up from £33m.

They also recorded a operating profit of £22.6m, having generated a loss of £18.4m last year, which is credited to ‘the benefits of operating cost and headcount reductions previously implemented, combined with improved Premier League performance.’

The Red Devils secured a third-place finish in the Premier League last season, largely thanks to the turnaround under then interim boss Michael Carrick, who won 11 of his 16 games in charge during the second-half of the campaign. They finished 15th the year prior under Ruben Amorim, and also lost in the Europa League final to Tottenham.

United’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose by 18.4 per cent from the 2025 fiscal year, though their fourth quarter revenue and EBITDA dropped from £164.1m and £37.5m respectively to £157.5m and £28.9m.

It was also confirmed that the club has secured the land required to build a proposed new 100,000-seater stadium.

It had been reported in June that United had secured the ‘majority’ of the land and that while work was still required to acquire the remaining land, no issues were expected in doing so.

United were also able to save over £8m thanks to former boss Ruben Amorim joining AC Milan. Amorim and his coaching staff were due a pay out of £16.7m for their sacking, but this was cut by more than half being appointed at the San Siro.

CEO Berrada: ‘We will continue to take a disciplined approach’

Commenting on the results, United’s CEO Omar Berrada claimed that the record revenue demonstrated “the underlying strength of our business” while also promising that the club will continue to take a disciplined approach to ensure financial stability.

“This shows the direct impact of the work we have been doing over the past two years,” he said.

“It also proves Manchester United’s enduring popularity and commercial strength. While these results confirm that we are on the right trajectory, we will continue to take a disciplined approach to ensure our finances remain sustainable.

“With that financial sustainability in mind, we have strengthened both our men’s and women’s teams during the summer window and our men’s team has seen the return of Champions League football to Old Trafford.

“Our other main area of focus is our plan to develop a new 100,000 seater stadium. We have now completed the major milestone of securing the land which will form part of the proposed location of the new stadium.”

The saving grace for Man Utd amid increased debt

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire to Sky Sports News:

“To a certain extent what saved Man Utd was two things. First of all, they finished third in the table compared with 15th [the previous season] at an extra £3m per place in terms of prize money.

“Secondly, there was a noticeable increase in the amount that fans were being charged to attend matches. Based on my calculations, and this includes the corporates as well, it went from around £88/£89 to £106 [per match].

“So, there were fewer matches, but those fans that were attending – and were seeing a good season in the Premier League it has to be said – ended up paying a lot more. That helped to cover for the loss of European football.

“Partly the reason for the increase in debt was down to technical reasons involving exchange rates. But the Glazers brought it upon themselves by deciding to borrow from the United States.

“So, yes it is significant – the gross debt is £689m. On top of that we have transfer debt and that is likely to be in the region of £350m/£400m. So we have £1bn worth of football debt and traditional debt – therefore how is the club going to be able fund a new stadium, which some people are saying could cost up to a further £2bn? Where is the money going to come from there?

“Because they have got so much debt and because interest rates are going up, the interest expense was almost £70m. That’s £1.4m a week, that’s £200,000 a day in interest.

“Some would say that’s a big driver for your losses. That’s 10 per cent of total revenues and also every pound paid in interest is a pound that isn’t being invested in the squad, isn’t being invested in sports science, isn’t being invested in facilities for fans as well.

“That was the main driver from profits to losses.”