Manchester United Dwarf Chelsea and Co. in Premier League Salary Standings

Manchester United now have the biggest wage bill in the Premier League following confirmation of Chelsea’s accounts for the 2013/14 season.

According to ESPN, Chelsea paid out £190.5 million on wages in 2013/14. That figure is a rise of eight percent on the £176 million for the previous season. It also means they are the third-biggest salary spenders in the Premier League.

In United’s own accounts for the 2013/14 season, which were announced in September, they spent £214.8 million on wages, per Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph. That sum was up from a figure of £182 million the previous year.

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It also took United to the top of the salary-spending charts, above their local rivals Manchester City.

However, United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward expects the club’s wage bill to fall by the time the next annual accounts are released.

“We expect total wages to be down [in 2014/15] due to the sale, retirement of players and no uplifts due to not playing in the Champions League,” said Woodward, per the Daily Telegraph.

For the 2012/13 season, per the BBC, City’s outlay on salary was £233 million. But this has dropped to £205 million for last season.

Arsenal are fourth on the list, per ESPN, which also reports that Southampton, who beat United 1-0 on Sunday, had a wage bill of just £47.1 million in the 2012/13 season.

For United manager Louis van Gaal, the amount of money United can spend on transfer fees or wages is immaterial. Van Gaal is only interested in the quality of player he can sign.

“When we can buy a player who can improve my selection, the club shall buy,” he said, per the club’s official website. “Money is not interesting. It is always quality of the players in comparison with the other players that I have. I have to compare. I have to decide. Money doesn't play any role.”

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But, even if United expect their wage ball to fall for this season, they are still likely to be spending more than their rivals.

Radamel Falcao is earning £265,000 a week, per Mark Ogden of the Daily Telegraph, during his loan spell at Old Trafford after the club invested heavily in new signings last summer.

With Financial Fair Play concerns more of a pressing priority for Chelsea and City to consider as well, it seems like United could be on top of at least one Premier League table for a few years to come.