Manchester United officially raise £32.6m

Financial stability has quietly become every bit as vital as goals and trophies at Old Trafford, especially at a time when Profit and Sustainability rules are influencing every major decision being made in the club’s name behind the scenes.

While supporters inevitably fixate on league position, the health of the club away from the pitch has come under great scrutiny, following years of lavish spending without effective structures in place.

That gives extra weight to the latest announcement from Manchester United.

As relayed by Business Wire, they have now revealed an operating profit of £32.6 million across the first six months of the financial year, a colossal turnaround from the £3.9 million operating loss of the same period last year.

United attribute this return to “operating cost and headcount reduction programs implemented in the prior year”, with Chief Executive Officer Omar Berrada insisting strong leadership decisions are behind the change.

Berrada describes the shift as the result of firm choices made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who took control of a broad range of footballing operations in early 2024 after acquiring a 27.7 per cent share in December 2023.

Ratcliffe has not been subtle, with more than 250 cut in a push to save £40 million, the scrubbing of paid ambassadorial roles for former players and a push for staff to return to the office.

United believe these changes, though controversial, are now paying off, with second-quarter operating profits of £19.6 million, (3.1 million the previous year).

After the figures were released, Omar Berrada said: “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.”

He added: “On the pitch our men’s team sits 4th in the Premier League and our women’s team are 2nd 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.”

Omar Berrada concluded: “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.”

Despite the improved operating position, not every revenue stream is moving in the same direction, with both commercial and matchday income falling compared to the same period last year.

Commercial revenue for the quarter dropped to £78.5 million, representing a £6.6 million decrease that reflects wider market pressures and renegotiated partnerships.

Matchday revenue also dipped to £49.5 million, down £2.5 million, largely because United played three fewer home cup fixtures than they did during the corresponding quarter last season.

On the pitch, results have kept the club well placed in the race for Europe, with United currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, three points clear of Chelsea in fifth and Liverpool in sixth.

Securing a return to the Champions League would unlock significant additional revenue and further strengthen United’s ability to compete at the top end of the transfer market.

Although European qualification was the minimum expectation at the start of the season, a Champions League push became a serious internal discussion point following the departure of Ruben Amorim in early January.

Former midfielder Michael Carrick was handed the role until the end of the campaign and has responded by guiding United to five wins and one draw from his first six matches in charge.

That run has put the club firmly back in control of their European destiny and could be worth close to £100 million through prize money and broadcast income alone.

Such a boost would significantly ease PSR pressures and give United extra room to strengthen the squad.