Reputed journalist Mark Ogden has written in his column for the Daily Telegraph claiming that Manchester United must secure a Champions League berth for next season to avoid a £50m revenue loss.
Ogden believes that while United withstood one year of absence from Europe’s elite competition thanks to lucrative income streams through sponsors, another year of absence from the Champions League could hamper United significantly.
the report states, “Club-by-club earnings in the Champions League are set to leap by around £20 m-a-year from next season due to the £897m three-year broadcasting deal struck by BT Sport in 2013.”
The Red Devils had earlier struck a £75m-a-year kit deal with Adidas which is set to commence on August 1, includes a penalty reduction of £22.5m should they miss out on Champions League qualification for two successive years during the 10-year partnership. Thus a £50m loss risks climbing towards £100m-a-season within two years.
However, the Old Trafford side’s £53m-a-year shirt sponsorship deal with Chevrolet does not include such performance-related penalties.
Apart from this, United would also face problems in securing their first choice transfer targets if they fail to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition. United currently sit fourth in the standings, two points clear of Liverpool who are in fifth.
The Red Devils face sixth placed Tottenham and Liverpool in their next two games and should they fail to win either, Louis Van Gaal will be under immense pressure with only a handful of games to go.
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