Man United will suffer immediate £10m blow if Lyon win crucial Europa League clash

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Everything is on the line for Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Lyon.

A miserable Premier League campaign has left Manchester United slumped in 14th in the table. The only chance of salvaging the season is if Ruben Amorim can win the Europa League.

United remain unbeaten in Europe this season and Lyon’s visit to Old Trafford is the only thing standing in the way of a semi-final spot.

After a 2-2 draw with Lyon in the first leg, United know a home win will be enough on Thursday evening.

Not only is Champions League qualification on the line, but also huge financial implications.

Man United at risk of £10m Adidas blow

United’s golden ticket to the Champions League is winning the Europa League. If the Red Devils fall short, they will be out of Europe entirely next season.

According to The Athletic, United failing to reach the Champions League would immediately trigger a £10m decrease in the club’s lucrative Adidas deal.

United struck a £90m per year Adidas deal in 2023 with the sponsorship agreement set to last a decade. However, one clause in the agreement states that the value decreases by £10m every season the Red Devils are not in the Champions League.

If United were to beat Lyon and go on to win the Europa League, qualifying for the Champions League would not only maintain the value of the Adidas deal, but it would also provide an £85m uplift to revenue. A lot is on the line.

United’s commercial revenue was recorded at £303m in the latest yearly accounts, and dropping out of Europe will significantly lower that figure for 2025/26.

Man United need Champions League amid financial issues

Earlier this year, Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirmed that United were going bust by the end of 2025 as a result of the club’s poor financial health.

The losses suffered over the last three years are starting to have a critical effect on the club’s day-to-day operating, and it is bound to impact transfer business over the summer.

The business done by Ineos this summer will hugely rely on whether United are in the Champions League or not.

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For example, United will move for Ederson if they win the Europa League – otherwise, a deal looks difficult.

Ineos are looking to raise £100m+ in sales this summer to try and balance the books, but qualifying for the Champions League is nearly worth that on its own.