Is Manchester United’s £1.1B Squad a Financial Disaster Under INEOS?

Can INEOS Fix Manchester United’s Transfer Crisis? An In-Depth Analysis

Manchester United’s Transfer Struggles

Manchester United’s problems in the transfer market remain one of the club’s most damaging weaknesses.

Even under new ownership with INEOS and the leadership of Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils continue to overspend on players while failing to profit from sales.

This flawed approach has created a staggering £323 million shortfall between the cost of assembling their squad and its current market value, the worst figure across the Premier League.

A £1.1B Squad Now Worth Only £769M

Data from Sky Sports and Transfermarkt reveal that United’s squad was built at a massive £1.1 billion, yet its present valuation sits at just £769 million.

That steep drop shows two major problems: the club consistently overpays for new players, and those players’ value drops fast once they join Manchester United.

The scenario appears more unfavourable when compared to rivals like Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, who have mastered the art of selling squad players for huge profits.

United continue to struggle to move on, even first-team regulars, for fair value, while these clubs regularly cash in on fringe talent.

The Core Problems With United’s Transfer Policy

Two recent cases illustrate the depth of United’s transfer mismanagement:

Marcus Rashford — Once valued at over £100m, he is now being linked with an exit worth only £26m.

The club’s failure to sell at the right time has turned a golden asset into a massive financial loss.

Kobbie Mainoo — it is reported that the midfielder, who is considered one of United’s best academy players in recent memory, is valued at only £45 million.

Considering the fees young English talents fetch elsewhere, this figure feels significantly undervalued.

The team frequently keep players past their prime, which forces them to sell for much less than they could have gotten earlier.

Can INEOS Reverse the Trend?

With nearly £200m spent on four new signings this summer, INEOS have already shown a willingness to invest heavily. But money alone won’t solve United’s problems.

Real improvement depends on signing the right players as well as being more deliberate in offloading them.

The financial gap between them and their Premier League rivals will only widen if United cannot stop the cycle of declining player value and poor sales.

INEOS has to manage buying quality talent while selling players at peak value to restore competitiveness both on the pitch and in the transfer market.

Manchester United’s financial mismanagement could continue to undermine their ambitions, without this shift.