However, the deal will not be quite so lucrative if United fail to qualify for the Champions League, with a clause in the contract meaning the Red Devils will face a £10m penalty. There was a similar penalty clause in the old deal but it was less strict, with United needing to fail to qualify in two consecutive seasons. Under the old terms, United would have been hit with a 30 per cent deduction worth around £22million. If United fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, they will not incur the penalty as it only kicks in from 2025 onwards. United’s financial report explained: ‘As a result of the men’s first team qualifying for the 2023-24 Champions League, no deductions are due under the original term.

Source: Metro March 16, 2024 15:22 UTC