Manchester United's Net Debt Breaks $1B Mark, Makes History After Summer Transfers

Manchester United reportedly reached $1 billion in debt for the first time in club history this year.

According to ESPN's Mark Ogden, United's first-quarter accounts show noncurrent borrowings of £481 million, which equates to $644 million in U.S. dollars. When factoring in another £105 million from their "revolving credit facility," it brings United's total borrowings to £268 million to be added to the original £481 million for a grand total of £749 or $1.002 billion U.S. dollars.

Per Ogden, Manchester United long operated as a debt-free enterprise, but that changed when the Glazer family purchased the club in 2005.

While the Glazers, who also own the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have not been shy about taking on debt, they have also attempted to take measures to reduce it.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS Group purchased a 27.7 percent stake in Manchester United for £1.3 billion last year, and Ogden noted that the minority owner has made moves aimed at cutting costs.

United chief executive Omar Berrada said the club is making "strong progress in our transformation of the club," as evidenced by a £13 million profit in the first three months of the 2025 European football season, compared to a £6.9 million loss during that same time period last season.

Manchester United were once the unquestioned kings of the English Premier League and European football.

From 1992 to 2013, United won 13 EPL titles and a pair of UEFA Champions League titles. They also won the Treble in 1998-99 with Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League triumphs.

However, it has now been more than a decade since their last league title, and they finished a shocking 15th last season, which was their worst result since 1973-74 when they came in 21st and got relegated.

So far this season, United have bounced back, as they are sitting sixth in the Premier League through 15 matches.

The Manchester United women's team has been the bigger success story in recent years, finishing second in the Women's Super League in 2023 and third last season. So far this season, they are in third place through 10 matches.