Manchester United could become the first club to break the £300million barrier for wages when they release their accounts for the 2017-18 season, according to The Sun.
The Old Trafford outfit broke new ground last year when they became the first Premier League club, along with Manchester City, to spend £250m on wages. But United's investment has only gathered speed in the ensuing 12 months.
They made Alexis Sanchez the Premier League's best-paid player in January by handing him a contract worth £500,000 per week while Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic were given lucrative deals when joining from Everton and Chelsea.
Wayne Rooney's departure to Everton last summer helped to save around £300,000 per week, but much of that was then taken up by the pay increases awarded to every senior player following their return to the Champions League.
A standard clause in all contracts sees players take a pay-cut if they fail to qualify for Europe's premiere competition. After gaining entry via the Europa League in 2017, the squad were automatically given a boost, which will add up to millions per year.
Those factors will serve to push Manchester United's annual wage bill to within touching distance of the £300m mark and should see them overtake rivals City to become the biggest paymasters in the division.
According to the latest accounts to 30 June 2017, City's annual wage bill sits at £264m with United close behind on £263m. Pep Guardiola's side are likely to see a significant increase as well with new figures accounting for last summer's arrivals: Kyle Walker, Ederson, Danilo, Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva and January signing Aymeric Laportre.
Despite the increase in the wage bill, Manchester United should remain at a healthy 50 per cent wages-to-turnover ratio with their total revenue likely to go close to the £600million mark. They hit £581.2m for 2016-17, but this year's accounts will be boosted by their return to the Champions League.
That should be enough to keep them ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona as the world's richest club. Real Madrid were close behind with an annual turnover of £580m and will once again be competitive after three successive Champions League wins.
Botswana5269303
1
rubbish paying so much for ppl who cant deliver
Albert Aguero
0
And everyone say Manchester city spend more money
Shadownet
0
You are very stupid, how many trophies has Chelsea won more than man united?
Calm down bro, Chelsea has won 2 EPL in past 5 years it's has zero
yebacino
0
Spending so much money and no goal, someone needs to do better. It should be no goal no pay.
Hibackly
0
Incuring more wages and winning less/No trophy [Hitface]
You are very stupid, how many trophies has Chelsea won more than man united?
Ticbkmrt
1
Substution 1:romelo 2:luke shaw 3:pereila 4:fred 5:matic 6:rashfod 7:herrela
soeekrtyz
0
its a big team and big teams around the world knows how to keep they players happy [delight]
Zacbcku
2
This is one of the reason utd don't improve the squad, knowing with or without trophy, they still will make a lot of money
aksluvmanutd
5
this information is okay for my team
hatrick3
2
all Man United knows how to do is to hijack players from other clubs and pay them very high to keep they even when the players are not playing up to their pay... hmmmm it really painful
Mozambique35244
2
I like this one.
lawcmopy
4
Best of the best
Yorokiri
0
And someone will insult me for criticizing these players, so much money 💰 being paid some average individuals
papakmr
0
The best line up
Moduyz
0
Ask Ed Woodward why being the CEO he agreed to the half million per month salary to under performed Sanchez. How much does PM May gets per month? Should sack both Ed and Alexis.
Puzborsyz
1
this formation will bring great impact if jose stick to it. if we sign some defenders then we can swap it with rojo or lindelof.
mohammadsabet123
2
just sticking and keeping players,it's good but new signings are also important
A1NERS
0
Yet my team, Liverpool, have wage bills 120 million dollars less, and still are going to have a better season than them
[image]
What's considered a better season for you?
hiwbclotu
0
softpapi
3
[Cur I think this formation will be good for our next match guys
hiwbclotu
3
kusbiknrz
1
Why man u don't go for 4,3,3 as information
Its true that formation can work for us like seriously
dongodwin007
1
Why man u don't go for 4,3,3 as information
PotatoMan456
2
Yet my team, Liverpool, have wage bills 120 million dollars less, and still are going to have a better season than them
Shadownet
2
man utd Is the best team of the world
[image]
Incuring more wages and winning less/No trophy [Hitface]
vedacklmtu
0
why are soccer players are earning so much money?
Sanchez just back to arsenal wtf👊 yes or No
Shadownet
3
And yet they won't win EPL
Nupdkmsuy
2
Manchester United will loose next match.
If they get a loose match, then they obviously won't lose it at all
Chima92
1
This would never happen under Sir Alex's watch. Managers, Players n staffs who earn more than what they r worth. Total mismanagement!
RealMadrid92
7
for me this line up perfect for Manchester United
vedacklmtu
2
That's quite huge and for sure some players need to be released and those whose wages are responsible for such huge wage bill should start delivering week in week out. It's not about the managers tactics... These players are professionals and know what it takes to make the ranks at a club as big as United. You have to give 110% every time you are given a chance to wear that Red jersey. Halla United.
[image]
Sanchez fuck Hhhhhh
Lutfil_Hadi
1
why are soccer players are earning so much money?
CFC_King
1
Money Money Man. United!!!
KingBarbs1234
0
That's why they're not buying better players. For me making such history is nothing to write home about. Win trophies is the ultimate. Sack that empty head Woodward.
DevilsUnited
2
muudiksty
1
Manchester United will loose next match.
vancty
5
wtf ..Sanchez is doing there..de Gea deserves to be paid better
Bazzz
0
Put Sanchez on an 'earn as you score' scheme and he'll be earning less than all of us!!!
Interesting idea
yepckt
1
Of couse they have to win one trophy , not to pay higher salary,without to win trophy.
updala young
4
man utd Is the best team of the world
anamal
4
Put Sanchez on an 'earn as you score' scheme and he'll be earning less than all of us!!!
emondorock
5
26 mil sanchez the wage bill is out of whack. How can they possibly justify that amount of money he is not maradonna just average player.
Wabbclmyz
3
United should fix a benchmark on this wage bill thing. These guys performance is not showing this huge amount. #Unitedforlife
Dakacelz
3
Players earning more than £100k per week should only be paid half their salary if the team doesn’t win a game. They are paid way too much for what they do. The money could be donated to the people who are struggling to live.
Reuabdelrs
0
If they fail to win anything again someone will be fired!
madridsta_5199
3
Imagine they could have bought Maguire Alderweirald and Boetang if their transfer budget was as big as their wage bill.
TempleK
1
That's quite huge and for sure some players need to be released and those whose wages are responsible for such huge wage bill should start delivering week in week out. It's not about the managers tactics... These players are professionals and know what it takes to make the ranks at a club as big as United. You have to give 110% every time you are given a chance to wear that Red jersey. Halla United.
Akib30
0
and people say man city is the only club spending so much money.
hiebcdisu
2
BAPPSPAULO
1
to end up in which position 😂