Key Takeaways:
- Manchester United reported an operating profit of £13.3m in the first financial quarter, reversing a £6.9m loss recorded in the same period last year
- Widespread redundancies and a comprehensive operational review followed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority stake acquisition at Old Trafford in 2024
- Club revenues fell by 2 per cent due to the absence of European broadcast income and two fewer home fixtures, as confirmed in Thursday’s financial release
Financial Overview and Strategic Changes
Manchester United released their first quarter financial statement on Thursday, highlighting a significant turnaround with an operating profit of £13.3m, compared to the £6.9m loss posted over the same period last year. This improvement comes in the wake of Sir Jim Ratcliffe securing a minority stake in the club in 2024, which prompted the initiation of a widespread operational review aimed at cost reduction.
The resultant redundancies spanned several departments, and this streamlining is reflected in the improved financial figures outlined within the club’s latest accounts. The leadership at United expects that these changes will provide a more efficient organisational structure and facilitate future sporting and commercial growth.
🚨🗣 Omar Berrada:
"These strong financial results reflect Manchester United's resilience as we progress in the club's transformation. The difficult decisions we have taken over the past year have enabled us to sustainably reduce costs and establish a more rational and efficient… pic.twitter.com/PUXbzx1QtF
— SimplyUtd (@SimplyUtd) December 11, 2025
Leadership Comments and Objectives
United’s CEO, Omar Berrada, said: “These robust financial results reflect the resilience of Manchester United as we make strong progress in our transformation of the club.
“The difficult decisions we have made in the past year have resulted in a sustainably lower cost base and a more streamlined, effective organisation equipped to drive the club towards improved sporting and commercial performance over the long-term.
“That has helped us to invest in our men’s and women’s teams, sitting in sixth and third places in the Premier League and women’s Super League respectively.”
Despite these operational advances, United saw a 2 per cent drop in total revenues. This decrease is largely attributable to the lack of European broadcast income and the occurrence of two fewer home matches in the quarter compared to the prior year.
| Financial Metric | Current Quarter (£m) | Previous Year Same Period (£m) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Profit | 13.3 | -6.9 | +20.2 |
| Revenue Change (%) | -2 | N/A | -2 per cent |
Premier League Position and Future Fixtures
Currently in sixth position in the Premier League table, Manchester United remain on course to fulfil their aim of qualifying for European football next season, with Champions League participation representing a potential source of additional income. The upcoming festive period will be crucial in maintaining this trajectory, as United are set to face Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Wolves. However, the team will be without Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui for most of those matches due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Long-term Outlook and Sustainability
The club believes that this latest set of quarterly results demonstrates meaningful progress toward financial improvement. Nonetheless, internal sources acknowledge that sustained discipline and further measures will be necessary to secure long-term financial stability and success.
