The UEFA report states that the Manchester United squad is the most expensive ever assembled in football.
Aoba Tanaka
2 min read
In a recent revelation, a UEFA report has labeled Manchester United’s squad from the previous year as the “most expensive ever assembled” in the realm of football. The European Club Finance and Investment Landscape report discloses that, at the conclusion of their 2023 financial year, the combined transfer fees for United’s players reached a monumental 1.42 billion euros (£1.21 billion).
The report indicates that this figure surpasses the previous record held by the 2020 Real Madrid squad, whose collective transfer fees amounted to £1.13 billion. Manchester United’s star-studded roster includes high-profile signings such as £82 million Antony, £80 million Harry Maguire, £73 million Jadon Sancho, and £70 million Casemiro. Notably, these calculations exclude the significant transfers of £72 million Rasmus Hojlund, £55 million Mason Mount, and £47 million Andre Onana, all of whom joined during the 2023 summer transfer window.
Despite the astronomical investment, Manchester United secured a commendable third-place finish in the Premier League during the previous season, marking their first campaign under the managerial tenure of Erik ten Hag.
The UEFA report also sheds light on three other football powerhouses—Manchester City, Chelsea, and Real Madrid—whose squads also surpassed the billion-pound mark in terms of transfer fees. Notably, Chelsea’s figures cover expenditures up to June 2022, with the £850 million spent from the subsequent summer to August 2023 not included in the report.
In a significant development, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United received approval from the Football Association on Wednesday. The deal, valued at approximately £1.03 billion, entails Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group assuming control of football operations for the iconic club. The approval marks a substantial milestone in the financial landscape of Manchester United, further accentuating the club’s prominence in the world of football.
