Manchester United are set to earn a substantial payout if they are able to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
United have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign, with any hopes that Ruben Amorim could swifty turn the club around following their worst-ever Premier League start quickly dashed as results largely failed to improve.
A humbling 4-1 loss against Newcastle on Sunday marked United’s 14th in the league this season and left the club in 14th place.
After being eliminated from both domestic cup competitions and with European qualification through a league place nearing a mathematical impossibility, United have just one route to secure European football for next season.
The only way Amorim can avoid United missing out entirely on European competitions for the first time in more than a decade is for United to win the Europa League this season.
First, the club must secure victory in their quarter-final second leg with Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Qualification for next season’s Champions League could be worth in excess of £85million for Man United
Ruben Amorim’s side will need to win the Europa League to qualify for next season’s Champions League
The figure is a combination of prize money and the potential revenue derived from hosting multiple Champions League games at Old Trafford
While a backdoor route into Europe’s premier cup competition may be all that remains for United, failing to qualify could have significant ramifications commercially.
According to a report from The Athletic, United could expect to walk away with more than £85million by qualifying for Champions League football in the 2025-26 season.
That figure takes into account the €18.6m (£16m) starting fee shared between all 32 clubs to reach the revamped league stage, plus the ‘value pillar’ which determines payouts based in part on a club’s historical performances in the competition.
In addition, United would secure another significant payout of around £16m should Amorim’s side be able to win the Europa League this season.
Another factor to consider is the matchday revenue participation in the Champions League would guarantee.
In the revamped league format each team players four games at home, worth in the region of £21m based on previous figures at Old Trafford.
At a time where Sir Jim Ratcliffe is being accused of ‘penny-pinching’ by the club’s own supporters’ groups, such a loss of revenue is likely to have a significant impact should United fail to qualify.
