After a summer where Manchester United spent north of £200m without any European football, they need all the financial help they can get next summer, and a major one is already expected.
A major benefit of Ineos’ ruthlessness while selling players is the fact that the players are sold when they still have some intrinsic value.
Man Utd are no longer selling off the scrap heap, and that is reflected in the club making about £100m in sales both summers under Ineos.
Now comes the next step, which is to make money from the players they’ve already sold, and a major windfall is expected at Old Trafford next summer.
Man Utd hearing noise around Mason Greenwood
Mason Greenwood was clearly sold in unique circumstances, which is why the transfer fee for him didn’t reflect his actual value at the time.
Now at Marseille, Greenwood is scoring goals for fun, recently hitting four in a game to continue his hot streak.
United, recognising they were selling a stressed asset, exchanged a lower fee up front for a potential windfall down the line if he kept improving.
Now that their ideal scenario has come to fruition, they are hearing noise around Greenwood’s future, which could be very good news for the club.
United in Focus spoke to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, who said United are keeping tabs on the developments surrounding Greenwood, with Barcelona monitoring the player.
Bailey said: “Manchester United believe they will be receiving a ‘significant’ sell-on fee from Mason Greenwood in 2026, but the club see it as a bonus rather than something they are relying on.
“United have a 50% sell-on clause from the deal that took Greenwood to Marseille. He has performed well this season and this term is showing up as one of the best players in France. Indeed, Barcelona are watching him amongst a number of major clubs.
“United have an eye on Greenwood, and are happy he is doing well. They are keeping tabs and hearing things, and they realise they could get a nice bonus next year, and I am told that is how they see it. They are not banking on getting any money from him, so whatever they do is seen as a possible addition to their finances.”
Greenwood transfer can transform Man Utd’s summer
It’s good that the club are not banking on receiving money from the Greenwood transfer and treating it as a complete bonus.
That way, they will not be held hostage to a move they have no control over, and can go about improving their squad with the clear known factors.
It’s not clear yet whether United’s 50% clause pertains to the transfer fee Marseille sell him for, or the profit on the fee they make.
To understand the difference, assume Greenwood is sold to Barcelona for £70m.
If United’s clause is 50% of the sale, then they will get about £35m straight, while if the clause is 50% of profit on sale, then they will get £22.5m (Profit is £70m-£25m, which is £45m, 50% of which is £22.5m).
In either case, that money is pure profit and can relieve a lot of financial stress from the books. Regardless of what the clause is, just its presence will drive Marseille to drive a hard bargain for him because they owe half of it to United.
Ultimately, United will be the biggest beneficiaries by bagging a fairly big amount for a player who was never going to play for the club again.
When all is said and done, Greenwood might stand as the biggest success story of Ineos’ selling acumen.
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