Man United have £52m wage plan to fund new midfielder signing in 2026

Add as preferred source on Google

Ineos have hatched a plan at Manchester United to take control of the wage bill and fund future transfer deals.

Manchester United’s poor recruitment over the past decade has included handing out huge contracts to underperforming players – something Ineos are trying to stamp out.

Several top earners at the club have left in recent seasons, dating back to Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea and Paul Pogba. There has been a shift in transfer strategy to sign younger, high-potential players instead of big-name superstars.

United’s wage bill dropped to £313m as per the latest accounts, meaning it has fallen below rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.

Man United plan to save £1m per week in wages

Interestingly, United’s wage bill from 2023/24 to 2024/25 dropped from £364m down to £313m – around £51m.

According to ESPN, United are now planning to shave another £52m off the wage bill by cutting around £1 million per week in wages.

• All Manchester United player wages, ranked

Casemiro’s contract is expiring, and the Brazilian midfielder is currently the highest earner at the club on around £350,000 per week. There are talks for a new Casemiro deal, but he would have to accept significantly reduced terms.

Additionally, Harry Maguire is in the final year of his contract and could be offered reduced terms in 2026. Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford are set to leave, which will slash millions off the wage bill.

United are paying part of Rashford’s wages during his Barcelona loan spell, with the forward earning around £325,000 per week on his current deal.

Man United will spend saved wages on new midfielder

After failing to strengthen in the summer, United will target a central midfielder in 2026 with several players on the transfer shortlist.

United are linked with Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, while David Ornstein claims that Carlos Baleba is still a top target.

However, none of United’s midfield targets will come cheap. According to the ESPN report above, United will use the savings from their wage bill to help fund a move for a new midfielder.

United currently owe £400m in owed transfer fees, and with no European football this season, the budget in 2026 could be tight.