Sir Jim Ratcliffe has pointed out what needs to change at Manchester United (Image: Getty Images)
The weekly salaries of all 20 Premier League teams have been made public, and Manchester United is surprisingly at the top of the table, ahead of their local rivals. However, there isn’t much to be excited about.
Once again, Manchester United is at the top of the table, but not in the football league.
According to reports, the Red Devils have the highest salary budget in the Premier League, giving their roster of well-known players a combined weekly salary of almost £4 million. That would be acceptable if United’s financial records were accurate, but after a miserable 2024–25 campaign, Erik ten Hag’s struggling team is unable to even place in the Champions League.
Three of the top five teams in the table are made up of the three teams vying for the Premier League title: Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. All three teams pay less each week. According to financial database Capology, City’s weekly wage bill is £3.705 million, while Arsenal, who is keen to prevent them from winning a fourth straight title, pays out £3.298 million.
Chelsea, who spend an impressive £2.978 million every seven days, are ranked fourth after Todd Boehly’s £1 billion transfer spree. That puts them five spots higher than their current position in the league table, where they are mired in ninth place.
Liverpool is in fifth place, and their £2.67 million budget supports the idea that Jurgen Klopp’s team has performed better than expected this season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the chairman of INEOS, is hoping for that for United’s upcoming season as he looks to reduce expenses during the summer transfer window in an attempt to make it a more successful 2024–25 campaign.
Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial, two high earners whose contracts expire in June, are already set to be let go by the Red Devils. However, as was revealed this week, Ratcliffe and company are open to considering offers for a number of other celebrities, such as Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
Their sales would help the team greatly in its battle to keep UEFA from punishing it for breaking its Financial Fair Play rules, even though they might deal a serious blow to Ten Hag or whoever manages United the following season. Ratcliffe has previously stated how important it would have been to qualify for the Champions League; now that it is no longer possible, he will need to find alternative sources of income.
The British billionaire is trying to tighten his wallet off the field as well; in preparation for United’s FA Cup final matchup with fierce rivals City, he has already decided to reduce employee benefits. Brutal modifications include making staff members who typically receive free transportation to and from Wembley pay £20 for their coach seat.
The wage data have come to light after Premier League clubs decided to impose a strict spending cap starting in the 2025–2026 season. It would cap teams’ transfer, salary, and agent fees at five times what the bottom club makes in prize money and TV revenue. It is said that United and City voted against it.
Table of Premier League weekly wages
1. Manchester United – £3,821,000
2. Manchester City – £3,705,000
3. Arsenal – £3,298,000
4. Chelsea – £2,978,000
5. Liverpool – £2,670,000
6. Aston Villa – £2,135,000
7. Tottenham – £2,130,000
8. West Ham – £1,833,000
9. Newcastle – £1,638,000
10. Everton – £1,524,000
11. Crystal Palace – £1,408,000
12. Fulham – £1,288,000
13. Nottingham Forest – £1,283,000
14. Brighton – £1,165,000
15. Bournemouth – 973,000
16. Brentford – £836,000
17. Wolverhampton Wanderers – £830,000
18. Burnley – £707,000
19. Sheffield United – £674,000
20. Luton Town – £469,000
