MU transfer paradox: Buy a lot, sell cheaply

MU is in the top 3 English clubs that spend the most money on transfers, but sells very cheaply with only 6 deals over 30 million euros.

Transfer disaster

MU 's problems over the past decade have been numerous, including a truly disastrous transfer business.

After dominating English football under Sir Alex Ferguson, the Red Devils have yet to win the Premier League title since the Scot retired in 2013.

After Matheus Cunha, MU is having difficulty buying new players. Photo: MUFC

Spending indiscriminately on players without a clear and rational strategy is one of the major reasons for the decline.

Time and time again, United have overpaid for players and handed them huge wages – making it almost impossible to sell them.

Since Sir Alex retired, only Chelsea (2.87 billion euros) and Man City (2.31 billion euros) have spent more than MU (2.14 billion euros), but the Old Trafford team has the highest net spending in the world , up to 1.54 billion euros.

After a disastrous season, coach Ruben Amorim aims to reform the squad, but his transfer budget depends to some extent on player sales. However, the Red Devils' record in selling players is very poor.

Since INEOS took over sporting control at MU with a 27.7% stake in February 2024, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has repeatedly stressed the importance of improving the transfer strategy.

While the focus is often on new signings, United must also focus on developing homegrown players and selling them on for profit. United have only ranked ninth in England for transfer income over the last 10 seasons.

Difficulties in reconstruction

MU earned 545 million euros from player sales, significantly lower than main rivals such as Man City (922 million euros) and Liverpool (690 million euros); even less comparable to Chelsea - the team that reached a whopping 1.44 billion euros.

The Devils have a hard time getting rid of players who are no longer needed and often have to accept loans with salary support, or sell them for very cheap fees.

On a global scale, MU ranked 32nd in terms of transfer revenue over the past decade. Selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for 94 million euros in 2009 remains the club's record.

David Beckham's move to Madrid in 2003 is fourth on this list. MU only sold 6 players for a fee of over 30 million euros.

The importance of generating revenue from player transfers has increased significantly in recent seasons, due to tightening financial regulations by national federations or UEFA.

Selling players – especially academy players – would give clubs more room to maneuver within the PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules).

After Matheus Cunha, MU is having difficulty buying new players. Photo: MUFC

United have been financially constrained in recent transfer windows, but have already spent €74m on Matheus Cunha this summer, and are also keen to complete the €70m Bryan Mbeumo deal.

Ruben Amorim wants a few more signings, and that depends on offloading the big boys Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho, among others.

The following two people clearly reflect the transfer disaster of MU: a total of 180 million euros, now only hoping to collect 1/3 of this number.

Amidst the transfer paradox, MU suffered further financial losses when sponsor Tezos withdrew from training clothes - 28 million euros per season.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/mu-chuyen-nhuong-tham-hoa-mua-dat-ban-re-mat-2417550.html