Revenues were impacted last season by not playing in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, the European Champions League. Manchester United played in the second tier Europa League competition and although they reached the final, any winnings are unlikely to match qualifying for the top tier competition. This season, although a record number of nine English clubs are playing in European competitions, United aren’t one of them.
On the field Manchester United, have had their worst start for 33 years in terms of points. After four matches they stand in 14th place, with just four points. The team also lost to fourth tier Grimsby Town in a cup match in August.
Ruben Amorim, the manager hired in November last season from Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon, is under pressure to change his system of play, though he remains adamant that this is not the reason for the team’s poor performances.
“I don’t believe that it is the system, or whatever. I believe in my way and I am going to play my way until I want to change,” he told the press after a resounding defeat to crosstown rivals Manchester City last Sunday.
The club backed Amorim in the summer’s transfer market as it spent a reported €250.7 million on new players, adding to its already high debt levels. Only €74.2 million was recouped from sales of players, led by Alejandro Garnacho.
Manchester United have won just eight victories since Amorim arrived at the club, displaying form that is only marginally above that of teams that get relegated.
