Manchester United: What does Champions League qualification mean for transfer plans and Michael Carrick’s future? | Soccer News

Manchester United are likely to earn around £200m next season, with half of that expected to be generated in the upcoming transfer window, and their return to the Champions League due to up to £100m of extra income.

With that performance and a major new injection of cash, it makes it more likely that Michael Carrick will be handed the head coach’s reins for the longer term.

It also means United could expand their transfer plans significantly this summer.

However, none of these things are guaranteed and it is clear that every decision (whether on the head coach or new signings) will be carefully considered and, crucially, will have to fit into the larger project designed to deliver repeatable future success at Old Trafford.

The buzz phrase remains “sustainability” and while it is not sexy for the fans, United will not deviate from the plan to target key players in key positions to continue the gradual strengthening of the squad.

It will certainly be a disappointment to some United supporters that the bosses will not go out and splash the cash that will come their way. But that’s part of the point – the money is due.

This is spread out in installments throughout the next season, rather than coming in as one lump sum. This means the club cannot afford to blow the lot before a ball is kicked in August.

However, the numbers are exciting. Even if United lose every Champions League game, they will earn up to £70m from the additional broadcasting revenue, ticket sales, merchandise, corporate activities and more. And they will automatically get an extra £10m from Adidas, their kit supplier, by being back in the European big time.

But the existing squad will see a boost to their wages as a result of reaching the Champions League, so this is an immediate higher cost for the club. And it is far too simplistic – and misleading – to think that United will be able to spend all their new Champions League money on new players.

Don’t forget the club’s plan to have a massive new 100,000 seater stadium ready for business in the next five to six years.

And so when it comes to squad changes this summer, while the priority has long been to bring in two elite-level central midfielders. It’s just such a focus of the hierarchy to cut costs and trim the group by eventually throwing some of the big earners out of pocket.

That cost-cutting is likely to help United’s finances to a greater extent than even the £80-100m injection of European money.

Rasmus Hojlund‘s potential £38m sale to Napoli is guaranteed if they secure Champions League football, and with the sales of Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee is likely to happen in the upcoming window as well, which will again strengthen the finances.

The liberated wage space of Casemiros departure, with Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malaciawhose contracts also expire in the coming months, will allow United to strengthen their squad.

That depth will be needed, with many more games on the fixture list for next season. Midfield is the obvious area that needs attention, with Manuel Ugarte also expected to join Casemiro in leaving the club.

of Nottingham Forest Elliot Anderson remains a priority target, and the club had a long-term stake in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali.

Left back will be a position the club will be looking to strengthen this summer. Luke Shaw has performed admirably since returning to left-back under Carrick, but the position is perhaps United’s weakest in terms of full-backs.

Malacia is out of contract this summer and has played just seven minutes of Premier League football this season. With the increase in games, Shaw’s workload will need to be managed with his previous injury history. United hold a stake in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown and monitor Newcastle United’s Lewis Hallalong with Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The left is another position in which United will want more flexibility. And the injection of European money means they may be fishing in a bigger pool than they would have been otherwise.

Matheus Cunha has mainly owned that position this season, with Patrick Dorgu showing he can also be an option. If United are able to strengthen their left-sided attacking options, they will be looking at a slightly different profile of player – a more direct, right-footed winger.

RB Leipzig Yan Diomande has been a long-term target for the club but is expected to attract popular interest in Europe this summer. Could United’s increased buying power make those negotiations easier?

The fact that the club can offer Champions League football to prospective recruits is certainly a big plus.

As for Carrick’s future, that remains unconfirmed. United will not make a decision on the head coach’s position until after the end of this season, and they are determined to maintain a rigorous interview process.

Names like Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique was on United’s radar.

Carrick is certainly the strong favourite, though, and it’s hard to see how the club can justify giving the job to someone else when the former United player has delivered on every one of the goals he set in January.

Although Champions League qualification greatly strengthens his claim, it does not guarantee his coronation. And United will interview other candidates before finalizing their selection.