Manchester United have confirmed a significant hit to their commercial income, revealing a £6.6 million drop in second-quarter revenue. The figures, released on Wednesday afternoon, highlight a growing financial “black hole” left by the expiration of key partnerships.
While the club has made strides in reducing its wage bill, the latest financial results show that sponsorship revenue fell to £37.2 million a £5.8 million decrease compared to the same period last year.
1. The Tezos and DXC Vacuum
The primary cause of the slump is the absence of a training kit partner. Following the expiration of the £24m-per-season deal with Tezos in June, United have played the current campaign without a training sponsor for the first time since 2022.
The situation is set to worsen:
- DXC Technology Exit: The club’s sleeve sponsorship deal, worth £20m per season, is due to expire at the end of this campaign.
- Total Loss: Combined with the Tezos exit, United are facing a £44 million annual deficit in premium sponsorship inventory.
The transition was visible during the summer arrivals; while Matheus Cunha was pictured in Tezos-branded gear during his unveiling, the deal had vanished by the time Bryan Mbeumo arrived at Old Trafford.
2. Retail and Matchday Slump
The commercial struggle isn’t limited to the kit.
- Merchandising: Retail and product licensing revenue dipped by £0.8m to £41.3m.
- Old Trafford Income: Matchday revenue fell by £2.5m. Club sources attribute this to United playing three fewer home cup matches this quarter compared to the previous year.
3. “Strong Pipeline” or Cause for Concern?
Despite the downward trend, United officials insist there is no reason for panic. Sources within the club claim a “strong pipeline” of potential sponsors are waiting in the wings to replace both Tezos and DXC.
However, with the 2026/27 season approaching, the pressure is on the commercial department to convert these leads into signed contracts. Failure to do so could offset the massive savings made by offloading high-earners like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
Filepe Junior is a football writer tracking La Liga transfers, covering major signings, squad planning, and player movements across Spanish clubs.
