The Costly Knockout: Manchester United miss out on up to £95 million after Champions League Exit

Manchester United's Andre Onana and Erik Ten Hag after getting knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich | Imago

FOOTBALL The Costly Knockout: Manchester United miss out on up to £95 million after Champions League Exit

The Costly Knockout: Manchester United miss out on up to £95 million after Champions League Exit

Ayoola Kelechi • 11:54 - 14.12.2023

Manchester United will be counting the cost of their disastrous exit from the UEFA Champions League group stage, which could severely affect their transfer business

Manchester United’s exit from the group stage of the UEFA Champions League has had far-reaching consequences for their finances, as the Red Devils are set to miss out on a large financial windfall due to their disappointing performance.

Manchester United’s disastrous UCL campaign

Despite being one of the favourites to qualify from their Champions League group that also included Bayern Munich, Galatasaray, and Copenhagen, Manchester United ended up finishing bottom of the log, claiming only four of a possible 18 points.

Manchester United’s campaign was typified by poor form, as they ended up conceding a total of 15 goals in the group stages, the most by an English club in the competition, while also becoming the first Premier League team to finish bottom of their Champions League group twice.

Manchester United’s lost prize money breakdown

Manchester United's early departure from the Champions League will cost them dearly in terms of prize money, as a successful run in the competition could have earned them up to £45 million.

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes after the Bayern Munich match | Imago
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes after the Bayern Munich match | Imago

Had Manchester United not been knocked out at the first round, they would have made £8.2 million extra for reaching the last-16, an additional £10 million for reaching the quarter-finals, £13.3 million for making it to the semifinal, and £17 million for reaching the final and winning.

In addition to the lost prize money, Manchester United also missed out on broadcast revenue, which can soar as high as £50 million for a team progressing to the final.

Europa League Missed Opportunity

Since they finished dead last behind Bayern Munich, Copenhagen, and Galatasaray, Manchester United also missed out on reaching the Europa League and its potential prize money. 

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Finishing third in their group would have secured a Europa League play-off place, offering around £400,000, and the Red Devils could have earned a further £18 million if they had gone all the way to win the competition.

How much did Manchester United earn in the Champions League?

Despite the Champions League disappointment, Manchester United earned a total of £17 million for their participation in this year’s edition.

Manchester United's Sofyan Amrabat | Imago
Manchester United's Sofyan Amrabat | Imago

They earned £14 million for qualifying, an extra £3 million for their one win and one draw in the group stage, as well as approximately £11 million as a coefficient payment.

With potential financial earnings from Europe severely impacted by their early exit from the Champions League, Manchester United could see their spending limits for next summer reduced after they splashed out nearly £400 million in the last two seasons on transfers.

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