What Man United’s early Champions League exit means for summer spend in 2024

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Manchester United’s early exit from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich last night may well have a summer knock-on effect, according to reports.

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich at Old Trafford thanks to a Kingsley Coman goal in the second half.

The Red Devils struggled to get in the game and had just one shot on target as the rather inexperienced front three at this level struggled to cause the Bavarian side any sort of problem.

FC Copenhagen beat Galatasaray anyway, so even if United had rallied and pulled off an unlikely victory it would have mattered very little in the grand scheme of things.

United’s knock-on effect

Well, the Red Devils are out of the Champions League which may well have a damaging effect on the club’s finances, according to a report from the Manchester Evening News.

The loss of knockout stage football, either in the Champions League or the Europa League, is set to put more pressure on the club’s transfer activity as they comply with domestic and European financial fair play rules.

A source reportedly told the Manchester Evening News that they wanted to spend more money in the summer but were hamstrung by the latest Financial Fair Play rules.

United may well have to sell some of their highest earners with up to five first-team players said to be available, including Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.

The Mail reports United may have a £28 million shortfall in spending as a result of Champions League elimination.

United may have to get creative

The summer transfer window looks set to be the first under Sir Jim Ratcliffe with the 71-year-old and his Ineos team set to be in place to take control of the sporting decisions at the club.

If Financial Fair Play concerns remain, then the new owners may have to get creative in the transfer market if they want to improve the squad to challenge next season.

The signing of former AS Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell could well be vital for the Red Devils if they have to spend their money wisely in the summer.