New Delhi: Manchester United’s 2024/25 season has turned into a nightmare, both on and off the pitch. What began with high expectations and big-money signings has now spiraled into one of their worst Premier League campaigns in history. After a rocky start, the club sacked Erik Ten Hag and brought in Ruben Amorim, hoping for a turnaround, but things haven’t gone as planned.

Despite a positive end to the 2023/24 season, where United lifted their 13th FA Cup, the momentum did not carry over. The club’s new minority owners, INEOS, invested heavily in young talents like Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro, and Matthijs de Ligt, but poor performances and financial struggles have overshadowed those moves.

Manchester United’s Growing Financial Concerns

United’s on-field inconsistency is only part of the problem—their financial troubles have become an equally pressing issue.

Revenue Drop:

• The club reported a 12% decline in revenue in the final quarter of 2024.
• Broadcast income plummeted by 42% due to their participation in the Europa League instead of the Champions League.0

Heavy Financial Losses:

• £14.5 million spent on sacking Erik Ten Hag, his staff, and sporting director Dan Ashworth.
• £200 million spent on summer transfers, primarily to fit Ten Hag’s system—only for the Dutchman to be fired months later.
• Overall debt has risen to £515.7 million due to unfavorable exchange rates.
• Total club debt, including outstanding transfer fees, stands at a staggering £731 million.

Glazers’ Legacy of Debt:

• Interest payments alone have exceeded £1 billion since the Glazers' leveraged takeover.
• Without INEOS’ £80 million cash injection, the club’s cash reserves would have dropped to just £15 million.

Cost-Cutting Measures and Transfer Struggles

With financial pressure mounting, United have been forced to cut costs:
Over 250 employees laid off to reduce expenses.
Limited January spending, with only Patrick Dorgu (Lecce) and Ayden Heaven (Arsenal) joining.
Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia sent out on loan to ease the wage bill.

Despite spending £11 million to bring in Ruben Amorim from Sporting CP, the club failed to back him in the transfer market, leaving him to work with a squad built for a different system.

On-Field Struggles: A Season to Forget

Manchester United’s poor performances have only highlighted their financial struggles.

A Promising Start, Followed by Collapse:

• Won opening game vs Fulham (Zirkzee scored on debut).
• Heavy losses followed, including humiliating defeats to Brighton, Liverpool, Arsenal, and three losses to Spurs.
• Found themselves 15th in the Premier League after 25 games.
• Outside the top half at Christmas for the first time in decades.

Summer Signings Have Disappointed:

• Joshua Zirkzee failed to build on his strong debut and has struggled.
• Leny Yoro missed pre-season with injury and hasn’t looked like a £50m defender.
• Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt have been inconsistent.
• Only Noussair Mazraoui has impressed from the summer signings.

Injury Crisis Adds to the Problems

Even after appointing Arsenal’s Head of Medicine, Gary O’Driscoll, to fix their injury woes, United’s squad remains plagued with issues.

Key Players Sidelined:

• Luke Shaw & Mason Mount struggling with recovery.
• Amad Diallo & Lisandro Martínez ruled out for the season.
• Over 60 injuries recorded in 2023/24, and problems persist this season.

What’s Next for Manchester United?

With a disastrous Premier League campaign, escalating financial troubles, and no immediate solutions in sight, Manchester United are facing one of their most difficult periods in history.

While Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are attempting to steady the ship, their first season at Old Trafford has been far from smooth sailing. Fans will be hoping Amorim can implement his vision in the long term, but without significant changes, the club’s decline could continue.