Cost of losing: Manchester United to pay ₦200 billion after Europa League final defeat

Manchester United's defeat in the Europa League final has reportedly triggered a painful financial penalty for the Red Devils.

The loss ensures the club will miss out on Champions League football for a second consecutive year, allegedly breaching their contract with kit sponsor Adidas and costing them a hefty £10 million (approximately ₦200 million).

Manchester United's partnership with Adidas reportedly comes with strict performance conditions, and failing to qualify for the Champions League in back-to-back seasons breaches the terms of that agreement.

The Red Devils had the chance to avoid paying the penalty fee despite finishing in the bottom half of the table this season, thanks to the Europa League, but a disappointing 1-0 loss to Tottenham ended all hopes of redemption.

The £10 million clawback is a direct consequence of missing out on Europe’s elite competition following both a poor Premier League campaign and Wednesday's Europa League final loss.

It is another harsh blow to the Red Devils, who are already struggling to maintain their financial and competitive standing, having missed out on a large Champions League payday.

Once a regular Champions League contender under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United have now found themselves drifting further from Europe’s elite, both on the pitch and on the balance sheet.

Only once before, in the 2014/15 season, has the club found itself completely out of European competition, and next season will now mark the second such instance.

Manchester United have historically remained a powerful commercial force even during the on-field turmoil of recent years.

However, the cracks are starting to show after the club's training kit sponsor, Tezos, decided to end its partnership this summer, without a confirmation of a replacement.