Premier League titans Manchester United are undergoing an ownership change after the Glazer family decided to sell a minority of the shares to the INEOS group, owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe. In addition, their on-field performance also improved, flexing an unbeaten streak since the turn of the year.
As one of the wealthiest clubs in the world, they generate substantial revenue each season, enabling them to invest heavily in player transfers. They rank second among the Premier League’s ‘big six’ in terms of spending over the last five seasons. Last season, their squad’s expenditure even surpassed that of Real Madrid.
Manchester United 2023 squad most expensive squad ever
Manchester United has significantly invested in enhancing their squad over the last few seasons, spending nearly €600 million in the market to acquire some of the highest-priced players.
According to UEFA’s official European Club Financial and Investment Audit Report, released on Thursday, Manchester United’s squad from last season has become the most expensive team ever assembled in terms of transfer costs, surpassing the previous record held by Real Madrid’s 2020 squad.
Manchester United’s total cost for the 2022–23 squad was €1,422 million, while Real Madrid’s squad cost €1,332 million.
Among the most expensive players in the team were Jadon Sancho (€85 million), Antony (€95 million), Harry Maguire (€93 million), and Casemiro (€82 million), underscoring the club’s substantial financial outlay.
The report stated, “Manchester United FC’s squad at the end of the club’s 2023 financial year (i.e., before the summer 2023 transfer window) is officially the most expensive ever assembled, with a combined transfer cost of €1,422m. They have surpassed the Real Madrid squad of 2020, which cost €1,332 million.”
Trophy count: Man Utd 2023 vs Real Madrid 2020
Although the Red Devils may have surpassed the 14-time UEFA Champions League winners in terms of squad cost, their success on the field remains a distant dream for the English club, considering their recent performances across all competitions.
Manchester United won their last league title a decade ago, in 2012, while Real Madrid was crowned the champions of Spain in the 2021/22 season.
When comparing the trophy success of the two most expensive sides among European clubs, United won the Carabao Cup under Erik ten Hag, along with achieving a 3rd-place finish domestically. Meanwhile, Real Madrid secured La Liga and the Supercopa de España or the Spanish Super Cup.
