Manchester United has emerged as the Premier League club with the largest annual pay spend.
According to FBREF data, the Red Devils outspent their Premier League competitors, notably free-spending Chelsea and oil-rich Manchester City, over the last season, earning the unenviable distinction of being the league’s most spendthrift team in terms of player pay.
According to the report, United are predicted to spend an astonishing £200,996,000 during the 2023/2024 season, about eight million pounds more than Man City, who came in second with a salary cost of £192,712,000.
The fact that United have been unable to match City’s performance despite investing at about the same level is a constant source of anxiety, which Erik ten Hag and the likes of John Murtough and Darren Fletcher, respectively, will be busy with resolving.
Worryingly, clubs with far lower pay bills produce more consistent success.
Brighton and Hove Albion, for example, who embarrassed United in their match on Saturday, have an annual pay bill of only £47,268,000 – less than a fourth of United’s similar sum.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, the Red Devils have struggled under numerous managers, frequently relying on exorbitant financial inducements to get talent to Old Trafford.
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This method has not only repeatedly failed, as evidenced by the high-profile transfers of Angel di Maria, Paul Pogba, and others, but it has also resulted in United’s inability to sell failing assets.
Harry Maguire, the embattled former captain, has remained at Old Trafford despite United’s best efforts to find him a new home, where he has steadily slid down the pecking order.
It was assumed that leaving for West Ham would have been beneficial to both parties; but, the English centre back’s salaries were just far too exorbitant and proved to be an insurmountable barrier in completing the transfer.
Top of the wage-spend statistics, in United’s opinion, is not the sort of success that is necessary.
Ten Hag and the other decision-makers at Old Trafford will be looking to reduce United’s financial outlay while also turning United’s investment into real results.
