Manchester United’s Champions League elimination is a costly one financially, with the club missing out on a big payday.
A victory would not only have been prestigious from the perspective of United being one of the best eight teams in Europe, would also have been financially lucrative.
Prize money
As reward for reaching the last 16 in the first place, Manchester United earned £8.2 million, The Mirror. reported.
This came in addition to the £13.4 million United earned for just reaching the group stages.
Prize money is awarded during the group stages for wins and draws. United’s three victories and two draws earned a total of £8.8 million.
United would have have earned an additional £9.1 million from reaching the Champions League quarter-finals by winning the last 16 tie. Instead defeat means United miss out on this vital prize money.
Total
So in total, regardless of what happens next, United have earned £30.4 million in Champions League prize money already this season. A win versus Atletico would have taken the club up to £39.5m, regardless of what happened next.
This shows how lucrative the tournament is and the importance of finishing in the top four this coming season, or winning the competition this campaign, to get back in next year.
Last year United earned £31.5 million from reaching the Europa League final, which includes Champions League group stages, which was good money, but far less than what is on offer if United could have gone all the way in Europe’s top competition.
Reaching the semi-finals would have earned an additional £10.8 million.
Just reaching the final guarantees £13.4 million, and the victors land £3.8 million plus £3 million by qualifying for the UEFA Super Cup. Win that, and an additional £1 million is unlocked too.
But United’s earning in Europe are over, and Europa League football next season looks likely, a far less lucrative competition.
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