Tottenham’s narrow victory secured them a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, as well as a berth in the UEFA Super Cup against the Champions League winner. For United, however, the defeat leaves them out of all European competitions next season — a rare and costly outcome for a club of its stature.
The implications are stark. According to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, the defeat underscores deeper issues at the club. “If I was teaching this at management school, I would conclude that there is something seriously wrong with the culture of the organization, which is set by senior management,” Maguire noted. His comments came with a reminder that United’s wage bill is 64% higher than Tottenham’s, and that the club continues to operate with one of the most expensive squads in Europe.
From a financial perspective, missing the Champions League represents an immediate loss of at least €80 million ($90 million), with potential losses rising to €150 million ($169 million) had United made a deep run in the tournament. Additionally, the club misses out on the €4 million ($4.5 million) UEFA payout for the Super Cup appearance — plus a potential €1 million ($1.1 million) victory bonus.
The setback also deals a blow to United's longer-term ambitions. Their failure to qualify for the 2025 Club World Cup — a newly expanded tournament with a $1 billion prize pool — means forfeiting potential earnings that could exceed $100 million. With Club World Cup qualification tied to Champions League performance over a four-year cycle, United is now behind in the race for a spot in the 2029 edition.
Adding to the pressure is the club's poor domestic standing. With one Premier League match remaining, United sits 16th in the table — a drop that will cost an estimated £22 million ($29.5 million) in prize money compared to last season’s eighth-place finish.
Despite recording record revenue of £661.8 million ($887 million) last year, UEFA’s financial reports show that United’s income is growing more slowly than most of its English rivals, with only Chelsea lagging further behind. United’s financial position is further weakened by cumulative losses of over £350 million ($446 million) across the past four seasons.
These results place the club uncomfortably close to breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which cap losses at £105 million ($140.7 million) over three years. While some exemptions may apply, the message from the club has been clear. In a January statement, officials warned: “This is not sustainable, and if we do not act now, we are in danger of failing to comply with PSR/FFP requirements in future years and significantly impacting our ability to compete on the pitch.”
A tough road lies ahead. To balance the books, United may be forced to part with star players such as Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford — a move that could undermine efforts to rebuild under new head coach Ruben Amorim. Reducing the wage bill and recouping transfer fees could be necessary steps, but they also risk initiating a downward spiral in both performance and prestige.
United remains one of Europe’s biggest brands, but brand strength alone may not insulate the club from a period of painful restructuring. With fans already reacting to unpopular cost-cutting measures under the operational leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the months ahead could test the resilience of a once-dominant institution now grappling with the consequences of sporting failure and fiscal strain.