Manchester United finished third in the 2025/26 Premier League season while recording their lowest wage bill in six years, The Athletic reports.

United spent £302 million on wages during the year, down £11.3m from the previous season and four percent overall.

It is the club’s lowest wage bill since 2019/20, which was heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The reduction is a mark of the INEOS era under minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has made it his mission to salvage the club’s finances.

Even without Champions League football, United’s financial position improved thanks to their mid-season resurgence under Michael Carrick .

Finishing third was a massive upturn from the previous campaign, when United finished 15th

United’s operating loss before player sales also dropped to £16m. That was the second consecutive year the figure fell by roughly half, after reaching £59m two years earlier.

Player sales then helped push the club into positive territory before financing costs. United recorded £46.9m in player profits, with Alejandro Garnacho’s £40m move to Chelsea playing a major role.